The effectiveness of using tyre crumb rubber (TCR) as an adsorbent for the removal of triclosan (TCS) from aqueous solutions was evaluated as a function of pH through controlled batch experiments. Carbon black (CB) and styrene–butadiene polymer (SBP), which are the main components in TCR, were individually evaluated and their contribution in the sorption process was assessed. At pH 3, the maximum rate of adsorption of TCS onto TCR, CB and SBP was 89, 95 and 92%, respectively. The Freundlich model provided the best fit for the experimental data obtained, as indicated by the mean relative percent deviation modulus (P). Our study results indicate that the removal of TCS using SBP follows an absorption process. Maximum desorption rate of TCS from TCR was approximately 89%. Results of sorption/desorption experiments clearly indicated the viability of TCR to be reused without any significant loss in its sorption/desorption capacity.

The adsorption of triclosan (TCS) from aqueous media using tyre crumb rubber entrapped in calcium-alginate beads (TCR/CaAG beads) was investigated through batch experiments. In addition, the effect of solution pH on removal efficiency was also investigated. The maximum adsorption of TCS onto TCR/CaAG beads was approximately 83% at pH 7. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used to depict the sorption process. Adsorbent reusability was investigated by performing a series of sorption/desorption experiments. The experimental results suggest that the TCR/CaAG beads are effective agents for the removal of TCS from an aqueous medium.