Optimization of Ciprofloxacin Adsorption on Clinoptilolite-Based Adsorbents Using Response Surface Methodology

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Antibiotic contamination in water poses a significant environmental and health risk.
• Conventional water treatment methods are often insufficient for removing emerging contaminants like ciprofloxacin.
• Developing efficient and cost-effective adsorbents is crucial for water remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption of ciprofloxacin (CIP) using natural clinoptilolite (CLI), magnetic clinoptilolite (MAG-CLI), and graphene oxide coated magnetic clinoptilolite (GO-MAG-CLI).
• To synthesize magnetic composites using an environmentally friendly and cost-effective microwave-assisted method.
• To optimize CIP removal conditions using response surface methodology central composite factorial design (RSM-CCF).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of magnetic clinoptilolite (MAG-CLI) and graphene oxide coated magnetic clinoptilolite (GO-MAG-CLI) via microwave-assisted method.
• Characterization of the synthesized adsorbent materials.
• Application of RSM-CCF to determine optimal adsorption parameters (CIP concentration, pH, temperature, contact time) and evaluate adsorbent performance.
• Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies.

Main Results:

• GO-MAG-CLI exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for CIP among the tested adsorbents.
• Optimal conditions for GO-MAG-CLI adsorption were determined as an initial CIP concentration of 48.47 mg dm⁻³, pH 5, 24.78 °C, and 19.20 min contact time.
• Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and the Langmuir isotherm best described the adsorption process.

Conclusions:

• Graphene oxide coated magnetic clinoptilolite (GO-MAG-CLI) is a highly effective adsorbent for removing ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions.
• The microwave-assisted synthesis provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective route for preparing advanced magnetic adsorbents.
• The study provides valuable insights into optimizing adsorption processes for antibiotic removal from contaminated water.