The adsorptive removal of a cationic drug from aqueous solution using poly (methacrylic acid) hydrogels

Sk Bajpai,N Chand,M Mahendra

doi:10.4314/wsa.v40i1.6

Abstract

This study describes adsorptive removal of the antibiotic drug ciprofloxacin hydrochloride from simulated water using poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as adsorbent. The adsorbent was characterised by various instrumental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The adsorption equilibrium data, as studied at 3 temperatures, namely, 15, 25 and 37°C, were best interpreted by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Moreover, an increase in temperature reduces drug uptake. A pH of the adsorption system in the range of 5.0 to 8.0 causes maximum adsorption of the drug. The presence of drug molecules in the adsorbent particles was shown by various techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Antibacterial studies also reveal the adsorption of the drug from solution.Keywords: Adsorption, ciprofloxacin, Langmuir isotherm, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy

Highlights

Over the past 30 years, research has revealed pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) to be emerging organic micro-contaminants due to their extensive use in human and veterinary medicine and their increasing occurrence in the aquatic environment (Avisar et al, 2010)
PPCPs enter the environment at low concentrations, primarily as metabolites excreted by humans and animals or in effluents that are discharged into wastewater from hospitals, pharmacies, and chemical manufacturing facilities (Nikolaou et al, 2007)
Once these compounds reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), they are not completely removed and residual concentrations of these chemicals are frequently discharged in the treated effluent

Summary

Introduction

Over the past 30 years, research has revealed pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) to be emerging organic micro-contaminants due to their extensive use in human and veterinary medicine and their increasing occurrence in the aquatic environment (Avisar et al, 2010). Where: qe is the equilibrium adsorption capacity of CPR adsorbed on unit mass of adsorbent (mg∙g-1) Co and Ce are the initial and the equilibrium drug concentrations (mg∙l-1) respectively V is the volume of adsorbate solution (l) W is the amount of adsorbent (g). It is clear that the melting temperature is nearly 127.77°C, suggesting an increase in the crystalline phase of polymer after the adsorption of CPR molecules.

Results

Conclusion