Facile synthesis of low-cost chitosan/Fe₃O₄@C composite for highly efficient adsorption of levofloxacin antibiotic

Abstract

Developing a highly efficient and cost-effective adsorbent material for the removal of antibiotics in wastewater has received great attention over the recent years. In this work, we developed a novel magnetic hybrid composite adsorbent using low-cost starting materials. First, rice husk was carbonized to obtain carbon materials (C), which were then used as a host for carrying ferrite Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, namely Fe₃O₄@C. Then, chitosan was deposited onto the Fe₃O₄@C by co-precipitation method to obtain a hybrid composite of chitosan/Fe₃O₄@C (CS/Fe₃O₄@C). The chitosan/Fe₃O₄@C composites produced with varying compositions were applied for the removal of levofloxacin antibiotic in an aqueous solution. The effects of the experimental conditions, including the composite composition, pH media, concentration, and adsorbent amount were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the composites’ compositions strongly affected their removal efficiencies toward levofloxacin. The highest removal efficiency of ∼90% for levofloxacin achieved with the use of the CS/Fe₃O₄@C-0.5 adsorbent, surpassing the pristine carbon and Fe₃O₄@C. The prepared CS/Fe₃O₄@C exhibited a good reusability after several recycles. Moreover, the CS/Fe₃O₄@C adsorbent was effectively recovered after use by applying an external field. The study provides a facile approach to prepare a low-cost and highly efficient adsorbent material for wastewater treatment.

Keywords:

• Adsorption
• Carbon
• Chitosan
• Chitosan/Fe₃O₄@C
• Rice husk
• Fe₃O₄
• Levofloxacin

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet nam and Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, Viet nam.

Disclosure statement

The authors reported no conflict of interest.