Removal of antibiotics from water using sewage sludge- and waste oil sludge-derived adsorbents

Sewage sludge- and waste oil sludge-derived materials were tested as adsorbents of pharmaceuticals from diluted water solutions. Simultaneous retention of eleven antibiotics plus two anticonvulsants was examined via batch adsorption experiments. Virgin and exhausted adsorbents were examined via thermal and FTIR analyses to elucidate adsorption mechanisms. Maximum adsorption capacities for the 6 materials tested ranged from 80 to 300 mg/g, comparable to the adsorption capacities of antibiotics on various activated carbons (200–400 mg/g) reported in the literature. The performance was linked to surface reactivity, polarity and porosity. A large volume of pores similar in size to the adsorbate molecules with hydrophobic carbon-based origin of pore walls was indicated as an important factor promoting the separation process. Moreover, the polar surface of an inorganic phase in the adsorbents attracted the functional groups of target molecules. The presence of reactive alkali metals promoted reaction with acidic groups, formation of salts and their precipitation in the pore system.

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► We examine the adsorption of antibiotics by sewage sludge-derived materials.
► Sludge-derived adsorbents can retain a dozen or so pharmaceuticals simultaneously.
► Up to 300 mg of antibiotics can be adsorbed per gram of sludge-derived material.
► Physical adsorption, reactive adsorption and specific polar interactions occur.