Sorption of the antibiotic ofloxacin to mesoporous and nonporous alumina and silica

Keith W. Goyne, Jon Chorover, James D. Kubicki, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Susan L. Brantley

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188 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mesoporous and nonporous SiO2 and Al2O3 adsorbents were reacted with the fluoroquinolone carboxylic acid ofloxacin over a range of pH values (2-10) and initial concentrations (0.03-8 mM) to investigate the effects of adsorbent type and intraparticle mesopores on adsorption/desorption. Maximum ofloxacin adsorption to SiO2 surfaces occurs slightly below the pKa2 (pH 8.28) of the antibiotic and sorption diminishes rapidly at pH > pKa2. For Al2O 3, maximum sorption is observed at pH values slightly higher than the adsorbent's point of zero net charge (p.z.n.c.) and less than midway between the pKa values of ofloxacin. The effects of pH on adsorption and ATR-FTIR spectra suggest that the zwitterionic compound adsorbs to SiO 2 solids through the protonated N4 in the piperazinyl group and, possibly, a cation bridge; whereas the antibiotic sorbs to Al 2O3 solids through the ketone and carboxylate functional groups via a ligand exchange mechanism. Sorption edge and isotherm experiments show that ofloxacin exhibits a higher affinity for mesoporous SiO2 and nonporous Al2O3, relative to their counterparts. It is hypothesized that decreased ofloxacin sorption to mesoporous Al 2O3 occurs due to electrostatic repulsion within pore confines. In contrast, it appears that the environment within SiO2 mesopores promotes sorption by inducing formation of ofloxacin-Ca complexes, thus increasing electrostatic attraction to SiO2 surfaces.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)160-170
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Colloid And Interface Science
Volume283
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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