Effects of ultrasound on development of Cs/NAC nano composite beads through extrusion dripping for acetaminophen removal from aqueous solution

In this study, the effect of ultrasound (US) on development of freeze-dried and oven-dried, extrusion dripped chitosan-Nano activated carbon (Cs-NAC), Nano-composite beads for adsorption of acetaminophen (ACT) from aqueous solution has been evaluated. Effects of sonication time (2-10 min), amplitude (20-60%) and chitosan concentration (1.5-2.5% (w/v)) were studied for ACT removal as a response. The results were then fitted in to a historical design to be analyzed by employing response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of ultrasound on the characteristics of the beads was examined using FESEM, FTIR and BET tests. The maximum removal efficiency was observed when the beads were prepared under 6 min of ultrasonic irradiation at 20 kHz, with an amplitude of 60% for beads made of chitosan concentration of 1.75% (w/v). Based on the results all the studied parameters were found to have significant role in the performance of the Cs-NAC beads in ACT removal.