Application and comparison of the performance of multi-wall magnetic carbon nanotubes for removing paclitaxel and gemcitabine from sewage by ‌‌‌adsorption process

Abstract

This study investigated the performance and adsorption properties of multi-magnetic carbon nanotubes in removing paclitaxel (PTX) and gemcitabine (GEM) from industrial sewage. For this purpose, the first magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared by the co-sedimentation method. Their characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy analysis of field emission (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a vibration sample magnetometer. The results showed that iron oxide nanoparticles were incorporated well without destroying the structure of the nanotubes. Also, the effect of the pH solution and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption of drugs was examined. The pH of 7 and adsorbent dosage of 200 mg/L were found to be the optimal conditions for the process. Comparing the removal results of paclitaxel and gemcitabine contaminants from the sewage showed that the multi-magnetic carbon wall nanotubes were more efficient in removing PTX (58%) than GEM (26%). Studies on the reaction kinetics and adsorption isotherms were performed on the two contaminants. The results obtained from the fitting of the curve showed that the kinetics reaction of the drugs was of the second order and consistent with the Langmuir isotherm. Finally, the reusability and stability of the adsorbent were investigated, and the reductions detected for PTX and GEM were only 8% and 5%, respectively, after five cycles.

Keywords

• multi-walled carbon nanotubes
• iron oxide
• adsorption
• paclitaxel
• gemcitabine