Synthesis of composite iron nano adsorbent and removal of ibuprofen drug residue from water

Abstract Ibuprofen drug residue is found in some water resources, which is toxic to human beings and flora and fauna. The removal of ibuprofen drug residue from water is carried out on composite iron nano adsorbent. The composite iron nano adsorbent was prepared by green technology and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDX techniques. The residual ibuprofen in water was analyzed by HPLC using new generation Sunshell C18 column (150 × 4.61 mm; 2.6 μm). The optimized batch experimental parameters were 60 μg L− 1, 30.0 min., 7.0, 1.0 g L− 1, and 25.0 °C as concentration, contact time, pH, adsorbent amount and temperature. Adsorption data followed Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. Thermodynamic parameter ΔG° values were − 10.23, − 10.24 and − 10.26 kJ/mol at 20, 25 and 30 °C temperatures. The values of ΔH° and ΔS° were − 2.71 and 24.20 × 10− 3. These values indicated favorable and exothermic sorption. Pseudo-first-order and liquid film diffusion mechanisms of the adsorption were proposed. Developed method was speedy, environment friendly and inexpensive due to its nature to be used under natural conditions of water resources with 92% removal of ibuprofen. Moreover, ease of desorption made this adsorbent recyclable. The developed method may be useful for the removal of ibuprofen drug residue from natural water resources at pHs 7.0 with low adsorbent amount and agitating time. The sorption method may be used for the removal of ibuprofen from any water body at large and economic scale.