Removal of aqueous carbamazepine using graphene oxide nanoplatelets: process modelling and optimization

Abstract

Abstract Unplanned and unmonitored developmental activities have resulted in a rapid emergence of pollutants like pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment. These PPCPs are considered as potential health hazards. A wide variety of physical, biological and chemical processes are presently being investigated for ensuring the efficient removal of such pollutants from effluents. The present study investigates the potential of graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONPs) for removal of a common and extensively used drug, Carbamazepine (CBZ) from aqueous solutions. Batch studies were performed to assess the potential of graphene oxide for adsorption of CBZ under different conditions of initial CBZ concentration, adsorbent dosage, temperature and solution pH. Process optimization was performed using Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network modelling. Results obtained indicated 99% CBZ removal under optimum solution pH, adsorbent dosage and treatment duration of 6, 1 g L− 1 and 120 min respectively. Results revealed that CBZ adsorption by GONPs followed Temkin isotherm and pseudo second order kinetics. A subsequent reusability study established that the GONPs could be reused for up to 8 times without any loss of adsorption efficiency. Therefore, it can be concluded that graphene oxide reported herein has immense potential for adsorption of trace organic pollutants from aqueous phases.

Keywords

• Emerging pollutants
• Graphene oxide
• Carbamazepine
• Adsorption
• Wastewater treatment