Clean Technology Approach For Ciprofloxacin Sequestration Using Modified Banana Stalk

Abstract

The adsorption mechanisms and capacity of adsorbent derived from banana stalks in removing ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous solutions were investigated in this study. The Banana Stalk Activated Carbon (BSAC) was prepared through acid activation and were characterised via SEM, FTIR and pHpzc. The SEM micrograph of BSAC revealed prominent well-developed pores which aid the adsorption process. The FTIR spetra shows the presence of various functional groups for efficient CIP adsorption. The effects of temperature (30 – 70 oC), adsorbent dosage (0.01 – 0.05 g/L), pH (2 - 10),initial adsorbate concentration (1 - 5 mg/L) and contact time (10 - 360 min) were evaluated using batch operations. Optimum CIP adsorption was obtained at pH 6. The maximum monolayer adsorptive capacity of the acid-treated banana stalk was 222.22 mg/g at 30 oC. Langmuir isotherm was the most appropriate isotherm model while pseudo second order kinetics best describe the kinetic process. Its thermodynamic studies indicated endothermic and spontaneous process. The cost implication of BSAC preparation (12.35 USD/kg) indicates that it is about 21 times cheaper than Commercial activated carbon (270.8 USD/kg) while the desorption studies reflects the reusability efficiency of the spent adsorbent. BSAC was found to be effective, efficient and economically viable for ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solution.