17α-Ethinylestradiol elimination using synthesized and dense nanocomposite materials: Mechanism and real matrix treatment

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are emerging water contaminants and efficient elimination is a greater challenge for environmental engineers. The present communication is intended to synthesize the novel dense nanocomposite materials precursors to the bentonite and 3-mercaptopropyletrimethoxy silane/or 3-aminopropyletriethoxy silane. The materials are highly dense, hence the surface area is significantly reduced compared to the pristine bentonite. Further, the materials are intended to be utilized in the elimination of one of the important EDC 17 α -ethinylestradiol (EE2). The sorption mechanism is greatly demonstrated based on various parametric studies. It is shown that grafted silane with bentonite network provides enhanced hydrophobicity with organophilic nature and greatly favors the uptake of EE2 at a wide range of pH (5.0–10.0). Relatively rapid uptake of EE2 by the nanocomposite solids followed by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicated that the materials are highly efficient for elimination of EE2. Increasing the concentration of EE2 (1.0 to 10.0 mgL −1 ) favored the extent of removal of EE2 and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Further, the increase in background electrolytes by 1,000 times did not affect the removal of EE2 by these nanocomposites, indicating the sorbing species are attracted with relatively stronger forces. Moreover, the simultaneous presence of several co-ions did not affect the percentage elimination of EE2; this, perhaps, shows an enhanced selectivity of materials towards the 17 α -ethinylestradiol. A high loading capacity of EE2 is achieved under column reactor operation using these nanocomposites. Additionally, the materials are promising in the real matrix treatment.