Removal of Amoxicillin Antibiotic from Aqueous Solutions by Date Pits Activated Carbons

Three activated carbons were used in this study, two prepared samples and a commercial activated carbon. The activated carbons were issued from date pits and prepared by thermal activation using carbon dioxide. The characterization of the prepared and commercial activated carbons was obtained by N2 and CO2 adsorption at −196 °C and 0 °C, respectively. The adsorption of amoxicillin from aqueous solutions was studied by batch method. Kinetics and isotherms experiments were studied in order to establish the equilibrium time and adsorption capacity of the three activated carbons. Three isotherm equations, Freundlich, Langmuir and Sips, were applied for modelling the adsorption isotherms by non-linear method. Date pits activated carbons achieved high specific area and adsorption capacity of amoxicillin. The removal of this antibiotic was favoured at acidic solution and the physisorption dominated the adsorption mechanism at low pH. © 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.