Application of a novel low-cost adsorbent functioned with iron oxide nanoparticles for the removal of triclosan present in contaminated water

Triclosan is widely used as a common bactericide and disinfectant, which can be found in surface and groundwater and also in sewage treatment plants, and its frequent use results in environmental impacts. Thus, there is a need to remove this emerging pollutant, and the adsorption process is a good alternative owing to its ease of operation and low cost. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the adsorption of triclosan, using Moringa oleifera Lam. seed husks functionalized with iron oxide nanoparticles. The kinetic study showed that the adsorption equilibrium occurred in 600 min with an adsorptive capacity of 29.57 mg g−1, and the best fit was the pseudo-first-order model, and the adsorption isotherms were adjusted in the Langmuir model, obtaining a maximum capacity value of 103.45 mg g−1. The values of the thermodynamic parameters indicated that biosorption occurred in a spontaneous, exothermic, and reversible manner, and the competition of ions showed that the salts did not interfere with the adsorption of the contaminant. The material was reused for a total of five cycles, indicating that the developed material has a high potential for removing emerging contaminants.