Removal of selected pharmaceuticals from aqueous solution using magnetic chitosan: sorption behavior and mechanism

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Nov;21(22):12780-9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-3212-1. Epub 2014 Jun 28.

Abstract

A novel-modified magnetic chitosan adsorbent was used to remove selected pharmaceuticals, i.e., diclofenac (DCF) and clofibric acid (CA) and carbamazepine (CBZ), from aqueous solutions. The characterization of magnetic chitosan was achieved by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and nitrogen sorption analysis. The magnetic chitosan had effective sorption affinity for DCF and CA but no sorption of CBZ was observed. The sorption capacities of CA and DCF in the individual solutions were 191.2 and 57.5 mg/g, respectively. While in mixed solution, DCF showed higher sorption affinity. Sorption kinetics indicated a quick equilibrium reached within 2 min. Lower solution pH values were found to be advantageous for the adsorption process. The sorption efficacy of CA declined significantly with increasing inorganic salt concentration. However, sorption performance of DCF was stable under different ionic strength conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Carbamazepine / chemistry*
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Clofibric Acid / chemistry*
  • Diclofenac / chemistry*
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Magnetic Phenomena
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Solutions
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / methods
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Solutions
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Diclofenac
  • Carbamazepine
  • Clofibric Acid
  • Chitosan
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide