Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment Using Nano/Micro-Structured Activated Carbon: Comparative Adsorption of Ampicillin and Phenylephrine and Reusability Assessment
نویسندگان
1 Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences for Girls, University of Babylon, Hilla, Iraq
2 Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq
3 Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Mazaya University College, Iraq
4 Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
5 Department of Sciences, Al-Manara College For Medical Sciences, University of Manara, Maysan, Iraq
6 Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences for Girls, University of Babylon, Hilla, Iraq
doi
10.22052/JNS.2026.02.014چکیده
This study investigates the potential of low-cost activated carbon (AC) derived from fig (Ficus carica) leaves for the removal of two common pharmaceutical contaminants—Ampicillin (AMP) and Phenylephrine (PHN)—from aqueous solutions. The AC was synthesized via chemical activation using phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) in a 1:1 weight ratio, followed by thermal treatment under nitrogen at 450 °C for 1 hour to enhance surface area and porosity. The resulting material was washed, dried, and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirming a porous morphology with diverse surface functionalities and structural integrity. Batch adsorption experiments under varying conditions revealed significantly higher removal efficiency for AMP (92.8%) compared to PHN (71.3%), attributed to differences in molecular structure, polarity, and interaction mechanisms with AC. Adsorption was predominantly governed by hydrogen bonding with surface hydroxyl and phosphate groups introduced during activation. Reusability was evaluated over five adsorption–desorption cycles using ethanol as the regenerant. The AC retained over 85% efficiency for AMP and approximately 60% for PHN after five cycles, demonstrating good regeneration potential and structural stability. These results highlight fig leaf-derived activated carbon as a promising, sustainable, and selective adsorbent for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment applications.
