AbstractChemically treated and carbonized adsorbents were prepared from Moringa oleifera pod husks (MPH) and evaluated for the aqueous phase removal of Norfloxacin (NOX), a common antibiotic. The pulverized precursor was steeped in a saturated ammonium chloride solution (24 h) to give the chemically treated adsorbent (AMPH). Pyrolysis of AMPH (623 K, ½ h) yielded the carbonized adsorbent (CMPH). Both adsorbents showed favorable physicochemical attributes (pH, bulk density, attrition, iodine adsorption number/surface area, titratable surface charge, and FT-IR analysis). NOX removal was studied under the effects of initial solution pH (2–11), adsorbent dosage (0.5–2.5 g), initial NOX concentration (5–25 mg/L), contact time (0–240 min), and temperature (298–328 K). Optimal NOX uptake (mg/g) by AMPH (1.42) and CMPH (1.88) occurred at solution pH 5 and adsorbent dose of 0.5 g. Equilibrium adsorption obeyed the Langmuir isotherm. Free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°), and entropy change (ΔS°) indicate...