Highly effective removal of antibiotics from aqueous solution by magnetic ZnFe2O4/activated carbon composite

Abstract

Abstract Water pollution from antibiotics has attracted a lot of attention for its serious threat to human health. In this study, a magnetic adsorbent (zinc ferrite/activated carbon (ZnFe2O4/AC) was synthesized via microwave method to effectively remove gemifioxacin mesylate (GEM) and moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MOX). Based on the porosity of AC and the magnetism of ZnFe2O4, the resulting ZnFe2O4/AC has high adsorption capacities and can be easily separated from the solid–liquid system via a magnetic field. The largest adsorption capacities for GEM and MOX can reach up to 433.4 mg g−1 and 388.8 mg g−1, respectively, higher than those of reported adsorbents such as MIL-101 and MOF-808. Fastest adsorptions of GEM and MOX were found at 5 min, and solution pH and coexisting salts do not have a significant influence on the adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism analysis indicates that electrostatic interaction and H-bond interaction contribute to the effective adsorption.