Abstract

In this study, the adsorption of Ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotics from a synthetic solution containing CIP is investigated using Red Mud (RM) and Red Mud that is activated by HCL (ARM). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques are used to morphological characteristics of Red Mud and activated Red Mud. The optimum conditions for both absorbents obtained with the highest adsorption include contact time=90 min and adsorbent dosage= 4 g/L. The highest adsorption of CIP was 25.44 mg/g for Red Mud and for activated Red Mud was 41.5 mg/g. The negative value of the standard enthalpy change indicates that the adsorption is physical in nature involving weak forces of attraction and is also exothermic, thereby demonstrating that the process is stable energetically. The results of this study show that the activated Red Mud is a relatively effective adsorbent for the adsorption of cerium from aqueous solution.