Thermodynamic Modeling of Experimental Data for the Adsorption of Ternary Antibiotic Mixture from Aqueous Solution Using Flamboyant-Pod-Based Activated Carbon

Ojo Ilesanmi Ademola; Ajani  Adegbenro Sunday; Mustapha Lateef Olajuwon; Ajani Oluwatayo Sandra

Authors

Ojo Ilesanmi Ademola Department of Physics and Material Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
Ajani Adegbenro Sunday Department of Physics and Material Science, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
Mustapha Lateef Olajuwon Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Ajani Oluwatayo Sandra Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 4001, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Activated carbon, Flamboyant pod, Antibiotic, Adsorption, Thermodynamic

Abstract

Antibiotic contamination in water poses significant environmental and public health risks, necessitating low-cost and sustainable treatment solutions. This study explores the development of Flamboyant-Pod-based Activated Carbon (FPAC), a bio-based adsorbent, for the removal of a Ternary Antibiotic Mixture (TAM). Raw Flamboyant Pods (FPs) were pretreated, chemically activated with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), and carbonized at 500 °C for 40 min. The structural and surface modifications of FPAC were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were performed under varying conditions of contact time (10-240 min), initial concentrations (20-100 mg/L), and temperatures (40-60 °C). Adsorption thermodynamic parameters, including Gibb’s Free Energy (ΔG°), Enthalpy Change (ΔHo), Entropy Change (Δ𝑠°), Isosteric Heat of Adsorption (ΔHx), Activation Energy (Ea), Sorption Probability (S*), Surface Coverage (θ), and Hopping Number (n), were evaluated to determine adsorption feasibility and mechanisms. FPAC exhibited a porous structure with enhanced carbon content and new functional groups, promoting chemical interactions with antibiotics. Adsorption proceeded rapidly within the first 100 min, achieving maximum capacities of 9.371 mg/g (Amoxicillin, AMO), 9.310 mg/g (Tetracycline, TETRA), and 8.733 mg/g (Ampicillin, AMP). Corresponding removal efficiencies were 85.91, 91.24, and 78.67%. Thermodynamic analysis revealed negative ΔG° and ΔHo values, confirming a spontaneous and exothermic process, while ΔHx and Ea values indicated predominantly physisorption-driven adsorption. The findings establish FPAC as an efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly adsorbent with strong potential for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.

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