A quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) study was conducted to predict the adsorption coefficients of some pesticides. The successive projection algorithm feature selection (SPA) strategy was used as descriptor selection and model development method. Modeling of the relationship between selected molecular descriptors and adsorption coefficient data was achieved by linear (multiple linear regression; MLR) and nonlinear (artificial neural network; ANN) methods. The QSPR models were validated by cross-validation as well as application of the models to predict the K(OC) of external set compounds, which did not contribute to model development steps. Both linear and nonlinear methods provided accurate predictions, although more accurate results were obtained by the ANN model. The root-mean-square errors of test set obtained by MLR and ANN models were 0.3705 and 0.2888, respectively.

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This study aims to investigate the performance and mechanism of raw (R-ND) and saponin-modified nano diatomite (M-ND) in the removal of azithromycin from aqueous solutions. Adsorbent characterization was performed using X-ray fluorescence, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. It was shown that the specific surface area of R-ND was 119.5 m2/g, 14-fold higher than that for raw diatomite, and for M-ND it was 90.1 m2/g. Various adsorption conditions, i.e. adsorbent dosage, pH, initial concentration and contact time were investigated. According to the results, despite reducing the specific surface area by 25%, modification of nano diatomite by saponin markedly enhanced its performance in the removal of azithromycin. The maximum adsorption capacity of R-ND and M-ND in the removal of azithromycin was 68 and 91.7 mg/g, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed that azithromycin was adsorbed by O-H groups on the diatomite surface. Weber–Morris intra-particle diffusion (IPD) model suggested that while IPD is not the rate-controlling step in high concentrations of azithromycin, it is the only step that controls the rate of adsorption in low concentrations. In comparison to R-ND, M-ND showed a higher efficiency in the removal of azithromycin and, therefore, it can be used as a promising low-cost adsorbent to remove azithromycin from aqueous solutions.