Wastewater treatment test by removal of the sulfamethoxazole antibiotic by a calcined layered double hydroxide

In this study, we investigated the removal of the sulfamethoxazole drug (SMX) by calcined layered double hydroxides (CLDHs) at 500 degrees C. The characterization of the fresh CLDH solids and after removal of SMX, by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, shows that the removal is carried out by reconstruction of LDH phases intercalated by SMX via the memory effect of mixed oxides. The thermodynamic parameters indicate that the adsorption is governed by physisorption. The removal capacity of SMX by CLDHs, under optimal conditions, reaches 4314 mg/g with an SMX/CLDH mass ratio of 1.6 and the elimination rate reaches 93%. This result is a good sign for fighting the development of bacterial resistance to such antibiotics because the quantity that may remain in natural environments is very low. Recycling of the intercalated phases remains efficient after six cycles.