Investigating the performance of modified y-type nano zeolite in removing tetracycline antibiotic from aqueous environments

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that are found in different concentrations from nanograms to micrograms in water sources, and their high resistance to decomposition makes it difficult to remove them from aquatic environments. The aim of this study is to investigate the removal of tetracycline antibiotic from water environments.

In this study, modified y-type nano zeolite was synthesized for tetracycline adsorption. The properties of modified y type nano zeolite adsorbent were determined by FESEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD analysis. Then the absorption process of tetracycline was investigated.

The highest removal rate of tetracycline antibiotic was achieved at a concentration equal to 50 mg/L and a contact time of 30 min, at pH=7 and a modified nano zeolite concentration of 0.4 g/L, 97.4%. The adsorption process of tetracycline through modified nano-zeolite y was compatible with the Langmuir isotherm model (R = 0.991) and pseudo-second-order kinetics (K2 = 0.002).

The results showed that the nano adsorbent is significantly able to remove tetracycline from aqueous solutions in a short period of time. Therefore, it can be used as an effective adsorbent to remove antibiotics.