Thermodynamic Study of Adsorption of Amoxicillin on Synthesized NiO of Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Background

The development of micro-organism resistance in humans and the environment has been linked to the inadequacy of conventional treatment methods in completely eliminating antibiotics. The purpose of this research is to look at the potential for eliminating Amoxicillin (AMO) from aqueous environments using Nickel (II) Oxide Nanoparticles (NiO nanoparticles).

Materials and Methods

In order to determine how successful NiO nanoparticles are in eliminating AMO, the impact of many important adsorption process factors, such as the initial concentrations of AMO (10-50 mg/L), pH (3-10), adsorbent dose (0.1-1 g/L), mixing rate (50-300 rpm), contact time (10-100 min), and temperature (15-45°C) was examined.

Results

The greatest AMO removal efficiency was 99.48% at pH=7, 0.8 g/L of adsorbent, and contact time of 60 min. The endothermic nature of the adsorption process was suggested by the positive value of ΔH^o. The observed physical adsorption was consistent with the ΔHo evolved during adsorption, which was less than 40 KJ/mol. The negative value of ΔG^o demonstrated that AMO absorbed on the NiO nanoparticles was a spontaneous process.

Conclusion

Accordingly, NiO nanoparticles could be employed as a successful adsorbent to eliminate AMO from pharmaceutical wastewater.