Knowledge graph and development hotspots of biochar as an emerging aquatic antibiotic remediator: A scientometric exploration based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace

Xiaojing Liu; Jianyang Yuan; Yanfang Feng; Zhiyong Zhang; Linyi Tang; Haoming Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121165

Knowledge graph and development hotspots of biochar as an emerging aquatic antibiotic remediator: A scientometric exploration based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace

J Environ Manage. 2024 May 16:360:121165. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121165. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiaojing Liu¹, Jianyang Yuan², Yanfang Feng¹, Zhiyong Zhang¹, Linyi Tang³, Haoming Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210014, China; Institute of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210014, China.
² School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.
³ Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in Downstream of Yangtze Plain, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210014, China; School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Agricultural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210014, China. Electronic address: chenhaoming@njust.edu.cn.

PMID: 38759554
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121165

Abstract

As an emerging material in the field of environmental remediation, biochar produced by carbonisation of organic solid waste has been widely used in the remediation of antibiotic wastewater due to its environmental friendliness and excellent adsorption properties. This study analyses the current literature in the field in a comprehensive and scientific manner using CiteSpace and VOSviewer technologies. Between 2011 and 2023, a total of 1162 papers were published in this domain, spanning three distinct stages: applied methods, mechanism investigation, and enhanced improvement. The results of keyword clustering indicate that the remediation of antibiotics complexed with multiple pollutants by biochar is the main research topic, followed by the remediation of antibiotics by biochar in combination with other technologies. Furthermore, drawing from current research hotspots in antibiotic remediation using biochar, this study identified the pivotal mechanisms involved: (1) The primary mechanisms by which raw biochar remediates antibiotics include π-π electron donor-acceptor interactions, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen-bonding, and pore filling. (2) Steam activation, acid/base, metal salt/metal oxide, and clay mineral modification can improve the physical/chemical properties of biochar, enhancing its adsorptive removal of antibiotics. (3) Biochar activated persulfate and degraded antibiotics via free radical pathways (SO₄^-•, •OH and O₂^-•) as well as non-free radical pathways (¹O₂ and electron transfer). In addition, the challenge and prospect of biochar engineering applications for antibiotic remediation lies in improving the main mechanism of antibiotic remediation by biochar. The prospective utilization of biochar in enhancing the remediation of antibiotic-related pollutants holds tremendous value for the future.

Keywords: Antibiotic remediation mechanism; Bibliometrics; Biochar; Hot directions; Persulfate activation.