Corrigendum to 'Freestanding PAC/CNT microtubes remove sulfamethoxazole from water through a temperature-assisted cyclic process'

摘要

Cyclic processes combine adsorption and regeneration steps and have the potential to serve as a sustainable approach for removing antibiotics from water bodies. However, the major challenge is the development of a viable adsorbent offering high adsorption capacity, adequate separation properties, ease of regeneration, ease of fabrication, and potential for controlled structuring of the adsorption reactor. In this study, we introduce a new, freestanding, microtubular adsorbent integrating powdered activated carbon (PAC) and carbon nanotubes (CNT). CNTs aim to provide mesopores while acting as a binder: PAC supplies micropores as high-energy centers for adsorption. Adsorbents with different PAC content were fabricated, characterized, and evaluated in adsorption of the frequently detected antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Twelve consecutive cycles of regeneration through the Fenton process was studied as well. More importantly, the concept of a temperature-assisted desorption process was proposed and investigated at T = 50 +/- 1 C. The elevated temperature not only enhanced the regenerated capacity in each cycle because of the promoted desorption rate, but also extended the durability of the adsorbent by preventing the adsorption of undesired compounds during the Fenton process. This work unveils the tremendous potential of the temperature-assisted cyclic process in removing persistent antibiotics from aqueous phases. Graphical Abstract