Adsorption of antiretroviral drugs, abacavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz from river water and wastewater using exfoliated graphite: Isotherm and kinetic studies

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121200
• Publication Date: 2024-05-20T03:25:07Z
• Authors: P.N. Kunene; P.N. Mahlambi; T. Ndlovu
• Keywords: Efavirenz; Nevirapine; Abacavir; Antiretroviral drug

In this work, exfoliated graphite was used to adsorb antiretroviral drugs from river water and wastewater. The prepared natural by intercalating it with the acids exfoliating at 800 °C. It characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy which showed phenolic, alcoholic, carboxylic functional groups between 1000 cm-1 1700 cm-1. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results carbon as main element splashes of oxygen. Scanning Electron Microscopy images increased c-axis distance graphene layers after intercalation, further exfoliation. exfoliation resulted in elongated distorted cylinders, were confirmed lower density (0.0068 g/mL) material compared (0.54 g/mL). diffraction pattern characteristics hexagonal phase graphitic structure plane (002) 26.74°. Raman graphite, intercalated, contained D, G, D′, G′ peaks about 1350 cm-1, 1570 2440 2720 respectively indicating that material's crystallinity not affected modification. highest removal (95–99%), achieved a solution pH 7, an adsorbent mass 30 mg, adsorption time min. kinetic model isotherm studies experimental data fit well pseudo-second-order kinetics is explained Freundlich's isotherm. maximum capacity for ranges 1.660 197.0, 1.660–232.5, 1.650–237.7 mg/g abacavir, nevirapine, efavirenz, respectively. obtained percentages 100% water, 63–100% influent 70–100% effluent wastewater unspiked samples.