Enhancement of ciprofloxacin antibiotic removal from aqueous solution using ZnO nanoparticles coated on pistachio shell

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, pistachio shell coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (CPS) were used as powder as a novel adsorbent for elimination of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from simulated wastewater. Functional groups, surface morphology, and surface area of CPS were observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, scanning electron microscope, and surface area analysis, respectively. Effects of significant parameters (pH, particle size, shaking speed, CPS dosage and initial CIP concentration) on CIP adsorption were studied. Langmuir isotherm model was found to fit more than Freundlich model. The maximum uptake of 129.1 mg/g was obtained at pH 7, 0.1 g CPS/100 mL CIP solution, 87 μm particle size, 150 rpm at 25°C. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model was the best fit with high determination coefficient (R 2 ) and more closely to experimental uptake compared with pseudo- first-order, also the intraparticle diffusion was not the prevailing mechanism. Finally, thermodynamic parameters (ΔG° and ΔH°) presented that CIP adsorption onto CPS was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The consequences verified that CPS is found to be an excellent media for CIP elimination from aqueous solution.