Co-modified MCM-41 as an effective adsorbent for levofloxacin removal from aqueous solution: optimization of process...

Antibiotics are emerging contaminants due to their potential risks to human health and ecosystems. Poor biodegradability makes it necessary to develop effective physical-chemical methods to eliminate these contaminants from water. The cobalt-modified MCM-41 was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method and characterized by SAXRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption, SEM, UV-Vis DR, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results revealed that the prepared 3% Co-MCM-41 possessed mesoporous structure with BET surface areas at around 898.5 m²g^-1. The adsorption performance of 3% Co-MCM-41 toward levofloxacin (LVF) was investigated by batch experiments. The adsorption of LVF on 3% Co-MCM-41 was very fast and reached equilibrium within 2 h. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the second-order rate constants in the range of 0.00198-0.00391 g mg^-1 min^-1. The adsorption isotherms could be well represented by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm equations. Nevertheless, D-R isotherm provided the best fit based on the coefficient of determination and average relative error values. The mean free energy of adsorption (E) calculated from D-R model was about 11 kJ mol^-1, indicating that the adsorption was mainly governed by a chemisorption process. Moreover, the adsorption capacity was investigated as a function of pH, adsorbent dosage, LVF concentration, and temperature with help of respond surface methodology (RSM). A quadratic model was established, and an optimal condition was obtained as follows: pH 8.5, adsorbent dosage of 1 g L^-1, initial LVF concentration of 119.8 mg L^-1, and temperature of 31.6 °C. Under the optimal condition, the adsorption capacity of 3% Co-MCM-41 to LVF could reach about 108.1 mg g^-1. The solution pH, adsorbent dosage, LVF concentration, and a combination of adsorbent dose and LVF concentration were significant factors affecting the adsorption process. The adsorption thermodynamic functions were also determined. The negative ΔH ⁰ (-33.50 kJ mol^-1) and ΔS ⁰ (-43.57 J mol^-1 K^-1) suggested that the adsorption was an exothermic process accompanied by decreasing disorder. This study may indicate that 3% Co-MCM-41 is a promising adsorbent for removing emerging pollutants of LVF from water.