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Synthesis and application of ZIF-08 supported on Theobroma Cacao L. biochar for the adsorption of loratadine in aqueous media
* 1 , * 2 , * 2 , * 2 , 3
1  Universidad Central del Ecuador, Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Ciudadela Universitaria, Quito, Ecuador
2  Universidad Central del Ecuador, Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Grupo de Investigación en Alimentos, Compuestos Orgánicos, Materiales, Microbiología Aplicada y Energía (ACMME), Ciudadela Universitaria, Quito, Ecuador
3  Laboratorio de Análisis Químicos y Biotecnológicos, Instituto de Investigación/Instituto de Posgrado, Universidad Técnica de Manabí
Academic Editor: Julio A. Seijas

https://doi.org/10.3390/ecsoc-28-20123 (registering DOI)
Abstract:

Drugs can be eliminated from the body through two primary mechanisms: metabolization or direct release. This process is dependent on the water solubility of the drug and the type of metabolite generated. The release of unmetabolized drugs has led to a significant environmental impact due to the complex interactions of these compounds with wastewater, leading to their classification as emerging pollutants in ecosystems. To address this issue, we developed a composite material called ZIF-08@BC. This composite is based on cocoa shell biochar (BC) obtained through microwave-assisted pyrolysis, which was then impregnated with an imidazole zeolite-type metal-organic fragment (ZIF-08). The resulting composite material was extensively characterized using various analytical techniques, including TGA, XRD, BET, pHPZC, and FTIR. The adsorption capacity of the ZIF-08@BC composite was evaluated using the drug loratadine as a model compound. The results showed that the best adsorption process conditions were an adsorbent dose of 0.07 mg/L, pH 6, an initial concentration of 40 mg/L, and a contact time of 40 minutes. Under these conditions, the composite achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 21.041 mg/g. The adsorption process was found to best fit a pseudo-first-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.966, qe (calc) = 22.46 mg/g, and E = 0.009) and an isothermal Slip model (R2 = 0.997 and ks = 0.182). In conclusion, the ZIF-08@BC composite has proven to be an effective adsorbent for the treatment of aqueous media contaminated with the drug loratadine. This composite material represents a promising alternative for mitigating the presence of this emerging contaminant in the environment.

Keywords: emerging contaminants, zeolitic imidazolete frame work, loratadine, Biochar, microwave-assisted pyrolysis.
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