Hydroxychloroquine Adsorption in Aqueous Medium Using Clinoptilolite Zeolite.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Widespread presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments necessitates effective removal technologies.
• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a pharmaceutical compound of concern in water matrices.
• Natural zeolites offer potential as low-cost, sustainable adsorbents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption capacity of natural clinoptilolite (CP) for removing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).
• To characterize the zeolite and elucidate the adsorption mechanism and process thermodynamics.
• To assess the environmental safety and reusability of the adsorbent.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of clinoptilolite using BET, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and pHpzc.
• Adsorption experiments to determine kinetics (pseudo-first-order) and isotherms (SIPS, Langmuir, Freundlich).
• Thermodynamic analysis (ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°) and ecotoxicity testing (Artemia salina, Lactuca Sativa).

Main Results:

• Pseudo-first-order kinetics and SIPS isotherm best described HCQ adsorption.
• Adsorption was favorable, spontaneous, endothermic, and mainly physisorption-driven with intraparticle diffusion.
• Zeolite regeneration was efficient, and treated effluent showed no toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Clinoptilolite zeolite demonstrates significant potential as an adsorbent for HCQ removal from aquatic matrices.
• The adsorption process is favorable and environmentally benign.
• Zeolite offers a sustainable solution for mitigating pharmaceutical pollution in water.