Effective adsorption of diclofenac and naproxen from water using fixed-bed column loaded with composite of heavy sugarcane ash and polyethylene terephthalate

• Main Author: Américo-Pinheiro, Juliana Heloisa Pinê [UNESP]
• Publication Date: 2022
• Other Authors: Salomão, Gledson Renan [UNESP], Moreno Paschoa, Claudomiro Vinicius [UNESP], Cruz, Ianny Andrade, Isique, William Deodato [UNESP], Romanholo Ferreira, Luiz Fernando, Torres, Nádia Hortense, Bilal, Muhammad, Iqbal, Hafiz M.N., Sillanpää, Mika, Nadda, Ashok Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Download full: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112971; http://hdl.handle.net/11449/223611
• topic: Adsorbent; Anti-inflammatory; Drinking water; Fixed bed column; Remediation; Water systems

The contamination of water by pharmaceutical pollutants is a major issue these days due to excessive use of these ingredients in modern life. This study evaluated the adsorption and effectiveness of a low-cost composite prepared from heavy sugarcane ash (HSA) fused with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and functionalized with iron (Fe3+) in a dynamic system through a fixed-bed column. The solution of synthetic drugs was prepared and placed in a reservoir, using a peristaltic pump the solution is run onto the fixed bed column at a flow rate of 2 mL min−1. Saturation time and adsorption capacity were evaluated by centrifugation and extraction after a regular interval of 2 h from the adsorption column. The samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the data was modeled for quantification. For DIC removal, an adsorption capacity of 324.34 μg. g−1 and a saturation time of 22 h were observed, while the adsorption capacity of NAP was 956.49 μg. g−1, with a saturation time of 8 h. Thus, the PETSCA/Fe3+ adsorbent proved to be quite efficient for removing the pharmaceutical pollutants, with a longer period of operation for DIC removal. These findings suggested that a highly efficient bed column made from a less expensive waste material and could be used to remove hazardous pharmaceutical contaminants.