Removal of sulfanilamide by tailor-made magnetic metal-ceramic nanocomposite adsorbents. (15th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sannino, Filomena; Pansini, Michele; Marocco, Antonello; Cinquegrana, Alessia; Esposito, Serena; Tammaro, Olimpia; Barrera, Gabriele; Tiberto, Paola; Allia, Paolo; Pirozzi, Domenico
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 310(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-15
• Subjects: Wastewater remediation -- Magnetic metal ceramic nanocomposites -- Antibiotic removal -- Sustainable regeneration; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Three tailor-made magnetic metal-ceramic nanocomposites, obtained from zeolite A (ZA1 and ZA2) and a natural clinoptilolite (LB1), have been used as adsorbents to remove sulfanilamide (SA), a sulfonamide antibiotic of common use, from water. A patented process for the synthesis of nanocomposites has been suitably modified to maximize the efficiency of the SA removal, as well as to extend the applicability of the materials. The role played by the main process parameters (kinetic, pH, initial concentration of SA) has been characterized. The significant effect of the pH on the SA removal has been explained identifying two possibly coexisting mechanisms of SA adsorption, based on polar and hydrophobic interactions, respectively. The adsorption kinetics have been in all cases described by the pseudo second-order model. The adsorption isotherms obtained with ZA1 have been satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model, suggesting a monolayer adsorption of SA on the magnetic nanocomposites resulting from a uniform surface energy. The isotherms obtained with LB1 could be described by a more complex approach, deriving by the additive superposition of Langmuir and Sips models. In order to ensure an effective removal of the antibiotic and a proper recycle of the magnetic adsorbents, a sustainable regeneration procedure of the exhausted adsorbent has been developed, based on the treatment with a dilute solution of NaOH. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Three tailor-made magnetic metal-ceramic nanocomposites were obtained from zeolites. Magnetic properties were conferred to nanocomposites by exchange of Fe 2+ ions. Two adsorption mechanisms, possibly coexisting, were hypothesized. A sustainable treatment was developed to recover the adsorbed antibiotic. The magnetic adsorbents could be easily separated, regenerated, and reused.