Adsorption and transformation of tetracyclines on alpha alumina particles with surface modification by anionic surfactant

The adsorption and transformation of tetracyclines (TCs) antibiotics, including oxytetracycline (OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and tetracycline (TC), on the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant-modified α-Al2O3 particles were comprehensively investigated in this study. The TCs adsorption was significantly enhanced by using the modified adsorbents compared with the use of the unmodified adsorbents. The experimental conditions were systematically optimized and found to be pH 4, NaCl 1 mM, the contact time of 180 min, and the adsorbent dosage of 25 mg. mL−1. The high maximum adsorption capacities were approximately 320, 85, and 91 mg. g−1 for TC, OTC, and CTC, respectively. Meanwhile, the great removal efficiencies of the three antibiotics TC, OTC, and CTC were correspondingly 91.85, 88.4, and 98.3%. The TCs adsorption isotherm and kinetics on the SDS-modified α-Al2O3 particles mainly governed by the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions were clarified by a suitable two-step model, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and zeta potential measurements. Meanwhile, the TCs structural transformation determined by the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurement was promoted through the adsorption on the α-Al2O3 surface. The TCs transformation rates strongly affected by the TCs adsorption were in the order of CTC > TC > OTC. The found results are promised that the SDS-modified α-Al2O3 particles might behave as high-performance adsorbents to remove the TCs from aqueous solutions. •The SDS-modified α-Al2O3 particles behaved as high-performance adsorbents.•The optimal conditions were pH 4, NaCl 1 mM, and the α-Al2O3 dosage of 25 mg. mL−1.•The high TCs removal efficiencies were significantly enhanced by greater than 88%.•The transformation rate was in the order of CTC > TC > OTC.•The TCs transformations and activations were strongly affected by the adsorption.