Sustainable Remediation of Antibiotic‐Contaminated Groundwater Using Thermally Modified Bentonite Functionalized With Green‐Synthesized Nanoparticles

In this study, Cono carpus leaf extract, a green antioxidant, was exploited to green-synthesize Fe/Cd nanoparticles, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. The synthesized nanoparticles were immobilized using modified bentonite (MB) via thermal treatment, which improves the hydraulic properties of bentonite and makes it a suitable support material for nanoparticles, especially for continuous experiments. In a permeable reactive barrier (PRB), the synthesized nanocomposite (MB-Fe/Cd) was employed as reactive material to retain Penicillin G (PG), Kanamycin (KC), and Chloramphenicol (CP) in groundwater. The batch and continuous trials showed that the nanocomposite might enhance hydraulic characteristics and impede pollutant transfer. In addition, contaminant transport was simulated using COMSOL software. Accordingly, in the PRB method for cleaning up contaminated groundwater, the nanocomposite (MB-Fe/Cd) can be regarded as a promising reactive agent.