Optimizing the efficient removal of ibuprofen from water environment by magnetic carbon aerogel: kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic studies

Ibuprofen (IBP) is a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug known to be a pollutant in aquatic environments. In the present work, Magnetic Carbon Aerogel (MCA) was synthesized to remove IBP. Central Composite Design (CCD) approach was applied to study the effect of critical variables, such as pH, contact time, and amount of adsorbent. X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, emission scanning electron microscopy, and MCA surface charge with zeta-potential analysis were used to characterize the samples. Under optimal conditions (IBP concentration of 10 mg/L, pH 4, MCA dosage of 0.092 g, and contact time of 45 min), a removal efficiency of 98 % was achieved. The most influential parameter on the IBP adsorption was pH. The results showed that the adsorption capacity for MCA was 46.94 mg/g based on Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9998). The kinetic data showed that the adsorption of IBP on MCA was secondorder and exothermic (Delta H degrees = -44949 J/mol). The reusability of the adsorbent was examined through 5 cycles, and no significant loss in the removal efficiency of IBP by MCA was observed.