Effective Adsorption of Ciprofloxacin Antibiotic Using of Novel Magnetic Fe3 O4 /Activated Carbon Nanocomposite from Aqueous Solution

Background: Pharmaceutical residues are biologically active in trace concentrations. This has increased worries about their potential hazards to human health and living organisms and has highlighted the need to treat them once they are discharged into aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the potential of removal of Ciprofloxacin antibiotic (CIP) using novel magnetic Activated carbon nanocomposite (Fe3 O4 /AC) was studied. Materials and Methods: For conducting equilibrium analysis, a batch system was considered and operated under conditions including CIP initial concentration, solution pH, Fe3 O4 /AC dosage, and mixing time. Analyzing the experimental data was done using different isotherm and kinetic models. Results: The analysis of the physical and chemical properties of Fe3 O4 /AC was indicative of the successful preparation of Fe3 O4 /AC; the surface area, microspores volume, and average pore diameter were observed to be 129.2 m2 /g, 0.512 cm3 /g, and 4.6 nm, respectively. A removal percentage of 100% was obtained for CIP using Fe3 O4 /AC under optimal values of the studied parameters; the optimum values of these parameters were as follows: solution pH of 5, adsorbent dosage of 0.8 g/L, and an initial CIP amount of 25 mg/L. The Langmuir model was found to be best for labeling the equilibrium data (maximum CIP adsorption capacity of 156.2 mg/g was obtained based on the Langmuir model). The fit of experimental data kinetic with the pseudo-second-order equation was also detected. Conclusion: The obtained results let us suggest Fe3 O4 /AC nanocomposite as a decidedly competent adsorbent for removing CIP.