Removal of cephalexin using green montmorillonite loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence potassium permanganate from aqueous solution

Because of the disadvantages of antibiotics in the ecosystem, it must remove before discharging wastewater containing them into the environment by an effective process. The aim of this study was cephalexin removal by local green montmorillonite loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2/GLM) in the presence of potassium permanganate.
This experimental study was performed in batch. In this study, green montmorillonite found in the area of Ardabil sarcham used as base absorbent and to improve the efficiency of cephalexin removal stabilized TiO2 nanoparticles on it using potassium permanganate. Then, the most important variables affecting the process have been investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests used to investigate absorbent surface morphology and functional groups on the adsorbent respectively. The samples were analyzed by a spectrophotometer and data analysis was performed using Excel software.
SEM images showed that the absorbent surface has a high roughness and FTIR test showed change the functional groups because loading of TiO2 nanoparticles.the optimal condition was pH = 5, detention time= 60 min and adsorbent dose = 4 g/l for initial Cephalexin concentration of 25 mg/l. Also the results showed by decreasing temperature, removal efficiency was increased.
Due to the high efficiency of TiO2/GLM in the absorption of cephalexin as well as its morphology did not change after adsorption process, we can say that this adsorbent can be used as a cheap and efficient absorbent for the removal of cephalexin used