APPLICATION OF NATURAL CLAY AND BIO-BASED ACTIVATED CARBON FOR THE ADSORPTIVE REMOVAL OF PARACETAMOL FROM WASTEWATER

APPLICATION OF NATURAL CLAY AND BIO-BASED ACTIVATED CARBON FOR THE ADSORPTIVE REMOVAL OF PARACETAMOL FROM WASTEWATER

Authors

  • Y.K. Reimbayev M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan
  • U.G. Kanatbek M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan
  • A.A. Kurtebayeva M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan
  • S.A. Orynbayev M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan
  • T.G. Helder Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
  • M.S. Kalmakhanova M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Taraz, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55956/NGYZ3478

Keywords:

paracetamol, Kokshetau clay, activated carbon, peanut shell, pharmaceutical, adsorption, water treatment

Abstract

Pharmaceutical residues, particularly paracetamol, have emerged as persistent pollutants in aquatic environments due to their widespread use and incomplete removal by conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study investigates the potential of two low-cost and sustainable adsorbents – natural Kokshetau clay and activated carbon derived from peanut shells – for the removal of paracetamol from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents were characterized using  XRD, and SEM, TEM, Elemental analyses to determine their surface properties and structural features. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of pH, contact time, and initial concentration, while fixed-bed column studies were used to simulate continuous treatment conditions. The adsorption data were fitted to isotherm and kinetic models, with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models providing the best fit, respectively. Column performance was evaluated using the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. Results demonstrate that both materials exhibit high removal efficiency for paracetamol, with activated carbon showing superior performance. The findings highlight the potential of these materials as eco-friendly and effective adsorbents for pharmaceutical removal in water treatment applications.

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Published online

2025-09-30

Issue

Section

Chemical Technologies
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