Using Iraqi bentonite for immobilizing metallic nanoparticles synthesized using green antioxidant for penicillin-G, kanamycin, and chloramphenicol removal from aqueous solutions

Antibiotic contamination in groundwater poses a serious environmental risk, while existing treatment methods often lack efficiency and sustainability, necessitating the development of green-synthesized and reusable remediation materials. This work studies the possibility of modifying bentonite (MB) to be a support material for immobilizing nanoparticles (Fe/Cd) that were synthesized using Cono carpus leaves. extract as a green antioxidant to produce MB-Fe/Cd nanocomposite, which was used to remove penicillin G (PG), kanamycin (KC), and chloramphenicol (CP) from aqueous solutions. Several analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used to characterize the MB-Fe/Cd nanocomposite. Characterization results confirmed the successful formation and immobilization of nanoparticles, as evidenced by well-dispersed morphology, enhanced surface area, and stable structural features. Factors that affected the process efficiency and accomplished a removal percentage of 97%, 94%, and 89% for PG, KC, and CP, respectively, were investigated. Three kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion) were used to ascertain the sorption kinetics, while the sorption data were characterized using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The results showed that the pseudo-second-order and the Freundlich models were even better fitted to the experimental data. Finally, this work is one of the several attempts to combine the benefits of multi-metallic nanoparticles produced by green synthesis with a supporting material (bentonite) to form an environmentally sustainable composite designed for use as a reactive sorbent.