Simultaneous effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube and Span85 on the extraction of Ibuprofen from aqueous solution using emulsion liquid membrane

Abstract

The Pickering emulsion stabilized by special nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes, due to their longer stability, cost-effectivity, and less toxicity has been developing as a matter of great interest for researchers. In this study, the extraction of the Ibuprofen (IBP) drug as a kind of pollutant at the simultaneous presence of the nanoparticle and surfactant has been investigated. In the Pickering Emulsion Liquid Membrane (PELM) process used in this study, the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs), Span 85, Aliquat 336, Kerosene, and Sodium chloride solution were used as the nanoparticle, surfactant, carrier, solvent, and internal phase. Using the response surface methodology in Design-Expert software and based on the central composite design, the optimization of the concentrations of MWCNTs, Span 85, feed, and Aliquat 336 and the mixing time and stirring speed were performed. The significant and non-significant of these six parameters and their interactions with each other have been evaluated. A second-order regression model was obtained for measuring the extraction efficiency of IBP. The one-dimensional and three-dimensional diagrams were developed for investigating the effect of different variables on extraction efficiency. The maximum extraction efficiency of IBP obtained by the response surface method was 93.64%, which was achieved at the concentrations of 0.071 %wt/v, 5.06 v/v%, 73.53 ppm, and 1.68 v/v% for the MWCNTs, Span 85, feed, and carrier, respectively, mixing time of 6.42 min, and stirring speed of 246 rpm. Ultimately, the results obtained through this study have demonstrated that the MWCNTs nanoparticle plays an important role in the ELM system to improve the extraction efficiency of IBP.