Error analysis of adsorption isotherm models for penicillin G onto magnesium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

The adsorption of penicillin G (PC-G) from aqueous solution by magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles has been investigated. This experimental study was conducted in a laboratory scale. The effects of various operating parameters such as pH (3–11), the dosage of MgO nanoparticles (0.3–1.5 g/L), contact time (20–150 min), and concentration of PC-G (50–200 mg/L) were studied. The results showed that under optimal conditions of concentration of 50 mg/L, pH 3, MgO nanoparticles dosage of 1.5 g/L and contact time of 60 min, the maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of PC-G adsorption on MgO nanoparticles obtained was 25.66 mg/g. The process of penicillin G adsorption on MgO nanoparticles was found to depend on Langmuir (II) and Langmuir (III) adsorption isotherm models. It could be concluded that the MgO nanoparticles can be used for PC-G removal from its aqueous solution.