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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/NMsB/40
Removal of amoxicillin from aqueous media by green synthesized Iron nanoparticles
using grapefruit

Maria Ashfaq1, Waqar-Un-Nisa1, Talat Ara2
1Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, International Islamic University
Islamabad, Pakistan
2Department of Environmental Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad,
Pakistan

Correspondence: waqarunnisa@iiu.edu.pk
Abstract

Contamination of water due to release of antibiotics which are non-biodegradable in nature
from pharmaceuticals is the emerging problem. Antibiotics in wastewater are of particular
concern and pose a serious threat not only to humans but also to the environment. This study
aimed to synthesize Iron nanoparticles from grapefruit for the removal of amoxicillin antibiotic
(AMOX). Different characterization techniques like FTIR, SEM, XRD were used to analyse
structural details such as morphology, particle size, shape and functional groups of iron
nanoparticles (FeNPs). Different experimental conditions were applied such as dosage of NPs,
concentrations of antibiotic, temperature and contact time to determine the removal efficiency
of FeNPs. Results indicated that green synthesized FeNPs are highly effective for the removal
of amoxicillin from wastewater. It is indicated that NPs dosage of 10mg/100ml shows best
removal efficiency and 50ppm concentration of antibiotic showed maximum adsorption.
Temperature of 35 °C was found optimal for maximum removal of antibiotic by FeNPs. This
research proves that green synthesized FeNPs are good adsorbent for the amoxicillin from
pharmaceutical waste water.

Keywords: green synthesis, Amoxicillin, grape fruit, iron nanoparticles

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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