Utilization of MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ as adsorbent for ciprofloxacin removal: equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies

In the present study, the adsorption behavior of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous solution onto MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ was studied using batch experiments. Physical characterization of MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ was determined by SEM, XRD, and BET. The effective parameters investigated included: initial CIP concentration, contact time, MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ mass, and temperature. Based on experimental results and correlation coefficients, the rate of CIP adsorption followed the pseudo-second-model kinetics. Complete compatibility of the adsorption isotherm process was achieved with the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity reached 41.73 mg/g under the optimized conditions (pH = 7, MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ dose = 1.2 g/L, contact time = 60 min, initial concentration = 10 mg/L, and temperature= 45 °C). The adsorption capacities based on the Langmuir model at different temperatures, 273, 288, 303, and 318 K, were equal to 72.18, 75.92, 79.65, and 83.47 mg/g, respectively. The determined parameters of the thermodynamic studies demonstrated the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the biosorption. The mean free energy was estimated from D–R isotherm model to be 0.316–0.707 KJ/mol, which clearly proved that the adsorption experiment followed a physical process. The data suggest that MWCNTs/Al₂O₃ could be used as a highly effective adsorbent material with a high capacity for the removal of antibiotics from water and wastewater.