Emerging contaminant (Triclosan) removal by adsorption and oxidation process: comparative study

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in a wide range of personal care products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, and surgical and surface cleaning agents. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the toxic potential of Triclosan (TCS) on human health, plants, and the environment, and it has been reported to be an endocrine disruptor. This study addresses the removal efficiency of TCS using nano-zerovalent iron (nZVI), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and carbon filter. Wherein, nZVI is synthesized by an environmentally benign method, i.e., using Camellia Sinensis (Tea) extract used as a reducing agent and carbon filter is prepared by coating MWCNTs onto the cotton cloth. Removal efficiency has been studied for TCS at different operational parameters such as concentrations of TCS from (5 to 20 ppm), dosages of nZVI and dosage of MWCNTs (0.05–0.3 g/l) and pH (3–11). Results of this study indicate that, till a concentration of 5 ppm, 0.1 g/lit dosage of nZVI and MWCNTs has shown a removal efficiency of 97.07 and 100% at reaction time of 40 and 20 min, respectively. An incorporation carbon filter has been proven an efficient than dispersing MWCNTs in aqueous solutions. Graphic abstract