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چکیده
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This study explored the use of chitosan (CS) hydrogel embedded with montmorillonite (MMT) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (CS/MMT/ZnO) to enhance the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP). The optimal amount of MMT and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was determined to be 2.5% and 1% by weight, respectively. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX, TEM, BET, and tensile strength analyses confirmed the successful formation and embedding of both MMT and ZnO NPs in CS hydrogels. Maximum removal performance of CS/MMT/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogel under optimum conditions of pH 7, adsorbent dosage 0.03 g/L, initial concentration 30 mg/L, contact time 120 min, and temperature 298 K was obtained. Kinetic and equilibrium data followed pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Langmuir models, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) was 30.86, 32.46, and 56.49 mg/g for CS/MMT, CS/ZnO, and CS/MMT/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogel, respectively. The decrease of CIP removal by synthesized adsorbents in MgCl2 solution is higher than KCl solution, and CS/MMT/ZnO can maintain ~76% efficiency in four cycles under optimal conditions. The calculated ΔG◦ for all adsorbents showed that the CIP elimination process is physical. The CS/MMT/ZnO hydrogel indicated satisfactory antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, as well as antifungal effect against Aspergillus flavus. Overall, the use of CS/MMT/ZnO nanocomposite hydrogel as an adsorbent offers a promising solution for eliminating CIP from wastewater as an emerging pollutant.
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