Removal of Macrolide Antibiotics from Water using Clays

Purpose and goal:

The aim and objective of the project was to investigate the modification of clays to be used as adsorbent for macrolide antibiotics and assess the potential for the development of commercial filters for macrolide antibiotic removal from water. Some of the modified clays characterized at MAXIV show good potential for the development of commercial filters and the knowledge gather in this project will be used for further product development.

Expected results and effects:

Commercial clays were used for modification making organoclays and micelle-clay composites, using a quaternary ammonium surfactant. The organoclays and micelle-clay composites were prepared and later characterised at the CoSAXS beamline (MAXIV). The optimal ones were tested for erythromycin adsorption from water.

Some results were published at a conference on Disinfection DBPs. The functional modification of the clays was demonstrated as well as the adsorption capabilities for the erythromycin in water showing promising results for the development of a commercial filter. Approach and implementation:

Three different clays were modified using hecadecylpyridinium bromide at different concentrations in the monomeric and micellar forms using well known modification protocols. The modified clays were characterized at the CoSAXS beamline (MAXIV) in liquid. Two of the clays show a successful modification expanding the distance between clay layers as expected.

They were tested as adsorbent for erythromycin showing good adsorbing capacity. Additionally, the use of Cyclodextrins in the formulation where explored in a project under Horizon 2020 with reference MOSBRI 2022-110.