Oxytetracycline removal from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from corn stalks

In this study, oxytetracycline removal from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared using corn stalks has been investigated. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of main variables; adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, and initial oxytetracycline concentration on the efficiency of adsorption efficiency were investigated. Results confirmed the effects of main variables and the maximum removal of antibiotic (99.9 %) achieved at initial concentration of 10 mg/L, pH of 9, and contact time of 60 min, when adsorbent dose was 1.5 g. The results of isotherm and kinetic studies showed that the oxytetracycline adsorption onto activated carbon prepared from corn stalks follows Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.98) and pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99). The maximum adsorption capacity of oxytetracycline was 522.6 mg/g. In brief, the activated carbon that has been prepared from corn stalks as low cost, non-toxic and environment friendly adsorbent shows a good ability for removal of oxytetracycline form water and wastewater.