Effectiveness of graphene quantum dot nanoparticles in the presence of hydrogen peroxide for the removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous media: response surface methodology

ABSTRACT

High concentrations of antibiotics have been identified in aquatic environments that have reduced water quality. These compounds are usually highly toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and low biodegradable. The aim of this study is to optimize the effectiveness of graphene quantum dot nanoparticles (GQD-NP_S) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous media. Specific factors were examined such as, pH (3–11), [H₂O₂]/[GQD-NP_S] (0.66–3.00), contact time (15–90 min), and CIP initial concentration (50–150 mg/L). High values for the coefficient of determination, R² and R²_adj predicted were 0.9916 and 0.9719 showed that the removal of AB92 dye using adsorption can be described by the RSM. The optimum conditions of pH, [H₂O₂]/[GQD-NP_S], contact time, and CIP initial concentration were found to be 7, 0.66, 15 min, and 150 mg/L, respectively. Second-order equation with a very high correlation coefficient was fitted for CIP removal prediction. The basic conclusion is that the prepared GQD-NP_S/H₂O₂ can be used successfully for the removal of ciprofloxacin, which can also be optimized and controlled to maximize ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solutions.

KEYWORDS:

• Ciprofloxacin
• H₂O₂
• graphene quantum dot nanoparticles
• response surface methodology

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Zabol University of Medical Sciences for the financial support in this study (Project no. 1398.121).