Use of clay honeycomb monoliths for the removal of tetracycline antibiotic from water

Abstract

This study assesses the efficacy of natural clays as a cost-effective and ecologically sound method for the removal of tetracycline from water. A notable advancement in the field of antibiotic removal is the utilization of honeycomb monoliths in lieu of traditional powder-based materials. The objective of this approach is to facilitate easier handling and to mitigate the production of sludge. The findings illustrate that, among the five clay types studied, the kerolitic montmorillonite is particularly effective in removing tetracycline from water, achieving levels of approximately 100 mg/g. This effectiveness is remarkably consistent across a range of pH levels (both acidic and basic), temperatures (4–60 °C), and even flow rates when employing the honeycomb design (50–2800 mL/min). These results substantiate the efficacy of this approach as a robust and promising strategy for wastewater treatment. In light of the fact that the principal mechanism of action for these clays is adsorption, the study also addresses ancillary concerns such as filter cleaning for reuse and the complete elimination of tetracycline.