Functionalization of beta-cyclodextrin onto NiFe2O4 nanoparticles for the removal of ketoprofen and diclofenac from the aqueous solutions

A new beta-CD functionalized nickel ferrite nanocomposite was synthesized and used to remove pharmaceutical drugs, such as ketoprofen (KF) and diclofenac (DCF). The co-precipitation approach was utilised to synthesize nickel ferrite (NFO) nanoparticles, which were then functionalized with TEOS to form NFO@SiO2; beta-cyclodextrin was then functionalized using GPTMS as an interface to form NFO@SiO2@beta-CD. FTIR, ZD, FE-SEM, EDX, TGA/DTG, VSM, BET, zeta potential and particle size analysis were then used to characterise the nanocomposites. The NFO@SiO2@beta-CD has an average diameter of 109.1 nm, superparamagnetic behaviour, a mesoporous surface and a specific surface of 20.78 m(2)/ g. The functionalized NFO@SiO2@ beta-CD nanocomposite removed 94% of diclofenac in 5 min and 80% of ketoprofen in 360 min with the adsorption capacities of 8.46 and 0.54 mg/g, respectively. The obtained experimental datum for both the pollutants was fitted in kinetic and isotherm models, with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich adsorption isotherm showing the best fit with the highest regression of R-2 = 0.99. The nanocomposite was regenerated using 0.1 M NaOH and recycled for about four consecutive cycles in which the reduction in the removal efficiency of ketoprofen and diclofenac was observed to be 51.36% and 64%, respectively. These results suggested that the NFO@SiO2@ beta-CD nanocomposite could be used specifically to target the low-concentrated pharmaceutical pollutants. [Graphics] .

Automated summary

A new beta-CD functionalized nickel ferrite nanocomposite was synthesized and used to efficiently remove pharmaceutical drugs. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent adsorption capacities for diclofenac and ketoprofen, and could be recycled for multiple cycles. These results suggest its potential as a targeted adsorbent for low-concentration pharmaceutical pollutants.