Exploring Hydrothermal Carbonization of Exotic Fruit Hydrochars for Acesulfame-K and Carbamazepine Removal from Water

The sustainable management of waste presents a global challenge, requiring solutions to reduce the impact of organic waste that generates pollutants when ending up in landfills. In this regard, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) stands out as a promising option to address this issue. This study explores the potential of hydrochars derived from exotic fruits like mango, mangosteen, African oil palm, and moringa to eliminate emerging contaminants such as Acesulfame-K and Carbamazepine from water through an adsorption process. The investigation prioritizes detailed characterization of these materials and the evaluation of their adsorptive capacities, considering variables such as dosage and particle size, alongside proposing potential alternative applications. Findings suggest that dosage does not significantly affect the process, yet both biomass type and particle size are relevant factors, with oil palm and mangosteen emerging as superior adsorbent materials. Physicochemical and electrical characterizations confirm the presence of cellulose in the treated material, indicating its utility for pollutant removal, while highlighting the potential of hydrochars as dielectric and insulating materials.