Adsorption behavior of tetracycline and methylene blue onto microwave-assisted pine bark biochar

Huỳnh Phương Thảo Thảo; Nguyen Hai Ha; Nguyen Tien Dat; Trinh Thi Nhu Mai; Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh; Hoang Trinh Gia Bao; Le Toan Nguyen; Ly Ngoc Son; Nguyen Thi Huong; Nguyen Ngoc Quoc Vinh; Nguyen Phi Ho

doi:10.62239/jca.2026.039

Authors

Huynh Phuong Thao Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Hai Ha Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Tien Dat Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute, 01 Nguyen Tu Luc, Lam Vien – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Trinh Thi Nhu Mai Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Hoang Trinh Gia Bao Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Le Toan Nguyen Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Ly Ngoc Son Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Huong Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Ngoc Quoc Vinh Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam
Nguyen Phi Ho Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Da Lat University, 01 Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Xuan Huong – Dalat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2026.039

Keywords:

tetracycline, methylene blue, biochar via microwave, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of antibiotics and synthetic dyes in aquatic environments poses serious environmental challenges due to their persistence and potential ecological impacts. This study evaluated the adsorption performance of tetracycline (TC) and methylene blue (MB) onto pine bark-derived biochar prepared via microwave-assisted pyrolysis. Optimal adsorption was achieved at pH 7 for TC and MB, with equilibrium attained within 120 min. The adsorption kinetics of both pollutants were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit to the equilibrium data, suggesting predominantly monolayer adsorption on homogeneous adsorption sites. The maximum adsorption capacities were 36.36 mg.g⁻¹ for TC and 163.93 mg.g⁻¹ for MB. These findings highlight the potential of microwave-assisted pine bark biochar as an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of antibiotic and dye contaminants from aqueous systems.

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