Аннотация
ABSTRACT Mineral‐based carriers, like zeolites, are gaining attention as promising materials for novel drug delivery systems because of their unique structures and suitability for drug loading. This study investigates Mongolian natural zeolite (MNZ) modified with the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) as an adsorbent for ceftriaxone (CFT) delivery and evaluates the system using several instrumental techniques. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy revealed decreased peak intensity and shifts after CFT adsorption, indicating strong interactions, while peaks at 2800–3000 cm −1 confirmed alkyl groups from HDTMA, enhancing hydrophobicity. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated a 12.3% weight loss, confirming CFT adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy images showed morphological changes with CFT aggregates on the surface. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicated a fourfold increase in surface area after CFT loading. Kinetic studies suggested that CFT adsorption followed the pseudo‐second‐order model, implying chemisorption. The Freundlich isotherm model provided an excellent fit for multilayer adsorption across temperatures. Remarkably, the zero‐order release kinetic model fitted the CFT release data well ( R 2 = 0.9804), highlighting the system's controlled release potential. These findings demonstrate that natural zeolites, with their high surface area, porosity, and modifiable surfaces, are effective platforms for antibiotic delivery and controlled‐release applications.