Rapid Antibiotic Adsorption from Water Using MCM-41-Based Material

The contamination of antibiotics in the environment has raised serious concerns, impacting both human life and ecosystems. This has led to a growing focus on the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent materials. Mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41, known for its strong adsorption capacity, low cost, and efficient regenerative properties, holds significant promise for addressing this issue. In this study, we investigated the adsorption behavior of demolded MCM-41 materials in relation to tetracycline, doxycycline, and levofloxacin at different temperatures and pH levels. Our experiments encompassed the adsorption of these three common antibiotics, revealing that a neutral or weakly acidic pH environment promoted adsorption, whereas alkaline conditions hindered it. Utilizing the equilibrium isotherm model, we determined the theoretical maximum adsorption capacities for tetracycline (TC), doxycycline (DOX), and levofloxacin (LFX) as 73.41, 144.83, and 33.67 mg g-1, respectively. These findings underscore the significant potential of MCM-41 in mitigating antibiotic wastewater contamination.

Automated summary

The contamination of antibiotics in the environment has become a serious concern. The development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent materials is crucial in addressing this issue. Mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 shows significant promise due to its strong adsorption capacity, low cost, and efficient regenerative properties. This study investigated the adsorption behavior of demolded MCM-41 materials for tetracycline, doxycycline, and levofloxacin at different temperatures and pH levels. The results showed that a neutral or weakly acidic pH environment promoted adsorption, while alkaline conditions hindered it. The maximum adsorption capacities were determined for each antibiotic, highlighting the potential of MCM-41 in mitigating antibiotic wastewater contamination.