Core-shell activated carbon-ZIF-8 nanomaterials for the removal of tetracycline from polluted aqueous solution

Herein, the synthesis of activated carbon (AC)-zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) composite (ACZ) with different amounts of AC was performed to investigate the adsorption of tetracycline pharmaceutical from water. The characterization of the synthesized composites (ACZ) was investigated by SEM, FTIR, XRD, EDS, and BET. The effective parameters on the adsorption of pharmaceutical contaminants including impact pH, contact time, contaminant concentration, and adsorbent dose were investigated. The used composite materials showed good performance in the adsorption of tetracycline. Analysis of isotherm and kinetic data demonstrated that the adsorption process followed the Langmuir model and the second-order kinetic model with correlation coefficients, respectively. According to the studies performed for the removal of tetracycline from the aqueous medium, the maximum removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were 90.5% and 35.64 mg/g, respectively. Due to the high adsorption capacity obtained, the ACZ composite has an acceptable and suitable adsorbent for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants in effluents.

Automated summary

The synthesis of AC-ZIF composite with different amounts of activated carbon for the adsorption of tetracycline pharmaceutical from water was investigated. The composite materials showed good performance in the adsorption of tetracycline, with a maximum removal efficiency of 90.5% and adsorption capacity of 35.64 mg/g. The ACZ composite is considered as an acceptable and suitable adsorbent for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants in effluents.