Monolayer and multilayer adsorption of pharmaceuticals on activated carbon: Application of advanced statistical physics models

Abstract

In this paper, the advanced statistical physics models (ASPM) were used to provide reasonable interpretations of the adsorption of pharmaceuticals Ketoprofen (KTP) and Ibuprofen (IBP) on raw and ultrasound activated carbons. Monolayer and multilayer models were selected to explain the adsorption mechanisms of these pharmaceuticals. Based on the values of the captured pharmaceutical molecules (n), it was concluded that multi-molecular (n > 1) and multi-docking (n < 1) processes were possible for IBP and KTP adsorption on AC and UAC. A detailed thermodynamic analysis was performed demonstrating that the adsorption mechanism was endothermic and associated to physical forces. The thermodynamic analysis confirmed the feasibility and spontaneous nature of the adsorption of these pollutants on tested adsorbents.