Kaolinite nanotube
particles (KNTs) were synthesized by a chemical
exfoliation and scrolling process in the existence of sonication waves.
The KNT product was identified as a mesoporous material (12 nm in
pore diameter) with high surface area (105 m
2
/g) and promising
adsorption affinity for the levofloxacin antibiotic (LVOX) residuals
in wastewater. The KNT particles were used as a fixed bed in the continuous
adsorption column system for LVOX considering the essential variables.
The investigation of the KNT fixed bed in a continuous column for
1800 min verified its suitability to reduce the LVOX content in 9
L of polluted solutions by 80.4%. This was recognized after using
the KNT bed of 4 cm in height, a flow rate of 5 mL/min, a pH value
of 8, a total flow interval of 1800 min, and an LVOX concentration
of 10 mg/L. The regeneration study of the bed declared effective recyclability
properties for the KNT particles in the LVOX adsorption column system.
The dynamic properties of the KNT bed-based column system were explained
based on Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and the Yoon–Nelson kinetic
models. The LVOX adsorption reaction by KNTs follows Langmuir behavior
with homogeneous and monolayer uptake form. The Gaussian energy (2.05
kJ/mol) and the thermodynamic parameters emphasized physical, spontaneous,
and exothermic adsorption reactions for LVOX by KNTs.