Effective triclosan removal by using porous aromatic frameworks in continuous fixed-bed column studies

Abstract

Triclosan (TCS) has been regarded as an emerging contaminant in aquatic systems, making its efficient removal of great significance. In this study, NPVMo@iPAF-1, with a specific surface area of 665 m²/g, was prepared by incorporating (NH₄)₅H₆PV₈Mo₄O₄₀ into porous aromatic frameworks (PAF). The maximum adsorption capacity of TCS on NPVMo@iPAF-1 reached 917.1 mg/g, as calculated from the Langmuir model. Fixed-bed columns packed with NPVMo@iPAF-1 were employed for TCS removal; the experiment data strongly correlated with the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models under different operational conditions. Pore preservation, electrostatic effects, and the synergistic effect of π-π interactions contributed to the effective adsorption of TCS onto NPVMo@iPAF-1. The NPVMo@iPAF-1 fixed-bed column could be effectively regenerated through in-situ ozonation for more than 10 regeneration cycles. NPVMo@iPAF-1 turned out to be a promising adsorbent for removing TCS not only from pure water but also from reclaimed water and surface water samples.

Keywords: Adsorption; Fixed-bed column; In situ regeneration; Porous aromatic frameworks; Reclaimed water; Triclosan.