Post-synthesis introduction of dual functional groups in metal-organic framework for enhanced adsorption of moxifloxacin antibiotic

Removal of Moxifloxacin from Aqueous Solutions Using GO/Cr-MOFs

The composite material, consisting of graphene oxide (GO) and chromium metal-organic frameworks (Cr-MOFs), was successfully synthesized by using a solvothermal method. The organic ligand employed was 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, while chromium acetate served as the source of the metal. The resulting material underwent characterization through Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Subsequently, the adsorption capacity of the composite material toward moxifloxacin was evaluated. The results indicated a gradual increase in the moxifloxacin removal rate from GO/Cr-MOFs over time until reaching an equilibrium with a maximum removal rate of 90.4%. Additionally, it was observed that higher temperatures led to a decrease in the adsorption capacity. By incorporating 30 mg of GO/Cr-MOFs into a solution containing 40 ppm of moxifloxacin, the adsorption capacity could be maximized at 222.25 mg/g. Experimental data on MOF adsorption of moxifloxacin were analyzed using pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFO), pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSO), and Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models for theoretical research purposes. Results showed that the PSO model exhibited a better correlation than the PFO model did. Furthermore, experimental data demonstrated good agreement with the Freundlich isothermal model, suggesting its effectiveness in accurately describing the adsorption process. Henceforth, it can be concluded that chemisorption plays a significant role in removing moxifloxacin by GO/Cr-MOFs. The van't Hoff equation analysis revealed an exothermic and spontaneous nature of moxifloxacin adsorption onto GO/Cr-MOFs. Compared to other materials, the GO/Cr-MOF composite exhibited high potential for applications such as drug removal or related fields.

Fabrication of fluorinated triazine-based covalent organic frameworks for selective extraction of fluoroquinolone in milk

A novel fluorinated triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (F-CTFs) was designed and synthesized by using melamine and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalaldehydeas as organic ligands for selective pipette tip solid-phase extraction (PT-SPE) of amphiphilic fluoroquinolones (FQs). The competitive adsorption experiment and mechanism study were carried out and verified that this F-CTFs possesses favorable adsorption affinity for FQs. The abundant fluorine affinity sites endowed the F-CTFs high selectivity to FQs extraction through F-F interactions. The adsorption capacity of F-CTFs can reach up to 109.1 mg g-1 for enrofloxacin. The detailed characterization of the F-CTFs adsorbent involved the application of various techniques to examine its morphology and structure. Under optimized conditions, a method combining F-CTF-based PT-SPE with high-performance liquid chromatography (PT-SPE-HPLC) was established, which exhibited a broad linear range, excellent precision, and an impressively low limit of detection, and could be used for the determination of six FQs in milk, with LODs as low as 0.0010 μg mL-1. The recovery rates during extraction varied between 92.1% and 111.4%, exhibiting RSDs below 6.8% at different spiked concentrations.

Co/Cd-MOF-Derived Porous Carbon Materials for Moxifloxacin Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions

In this study, Co/Cd-MOFs were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The resulting material was subjected to calcination at 900 °C for 2 h and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, and SEM techniques to assess its efficacy in moxifloxacin removal. The experimental findings revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Co/Cd-MOFs for moxifloxacin was observed at 350.4 mg/g within a 5 h timeframe. Furthermore, the analysis based on the pseudo-second-order kinetic model demonstrated that the adsorption process adhered to this specific model. Additionally, the adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that Freundlich multilayer adsorption provided the best description of the interaction between moxifloxacin and the Co/Cd-MOF material. These experimental and theoretical results collectively suggest that employing Co/Cd-MOFs as adsorbents holds promise for wastewater treatment applications.

Diamino-functionalized metal-organic framework for selective capture of gold ions

Adsorptive recovery of valuable gold (Au) ions from wastes is vital but still challenged, especially regarding adsorption capacity and selectivity. A novel M - 3,5-DABA metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbent was prepared via anchoring 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (3,5-DABA) molecule in the MOF-808 matrix. Benefiting from the positive charge property, dense amino groups (3.2 mmol g-1) and high porosity, the adsorption capacity of M - 3,5-DABA reaches 1391.5 mg g-1 (pH = 2.5) and adsorption equilibrium is attained in 5 min. This amino-based material shows excellent selectivity towards various metal ions, evading the poor selectivity problem of classical thiol groups (e.g. for Ag+, Cu2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions). In addition, the regeneration was easily achieved via using a hydrochloric acid-thiourea eluent. Experimental analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculation show the amino group works as a reductant for Au(III) ions and meanwhile acts as an active site for adsorbing Au(III) ions together with the μ-OH group. Thus, M - 3,5-DABA can act as a potential adsorbent for Au(III) ions, and our work offers a viable strategy to construct novel MOF-based adsorbents.

Optimization of graphene polypyrrole for enhanced adsorption of moxifloxacin antibiotic: an experimental design approach and isotherm investigation

The presence of antibiotics in water systems had raised a concern about their potential harm to the aquatic environment and human health as well as the possible development of antibiotic resistance. Herein, this study investigates the power of adsorption using graphene-polypyrrole (GRP-PPY) nanoparticles as a promising approach for the removal of Moxifloxacin HCl (MXF) as a model antibiotic drug. GRP-PPY nanoparticles synthesis was performed with a simple and profitable method, leading to the formation of high surface area particles with excellent adsorption properties. Characterization was assessed with various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Box-Behnken experimental design was developed to optimize the adsorption process. Critical parameters such as initial antibiotic concentration, nanoparticle concentration, and pH were investigated. The Freundlich isotherm model provided a good fit to the experimental data, indicating multilayer adsorption of MXF onto the GRP-PPY-NP. As a result, a high adsorption capacity of MXF (92%) was obtained in an optimum condition of preparing 30 μg/mL of the drug to be adsorbed by 1 mg/mL of GRP-PPY-NP in pH 9 within 1 h in a room temperature. Moreover, the regeneration and reusability of GRP-PPY-NP were investigated. They could be effectively regenerated for 3 cycles using appropriate desorption agents without significant loss in adsorption capacity. Overall, this study highlights the power of GRP-PPY-NP as a highly efficient adsorbent for the removal of MXF from wastewater as it is the first time to use this NP for a pharmaceutical product which shows the study's novelty, and the findings provide valuable insights into the development of sustainable and effective wastewater treatment technologies for combating antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments.

Adsorption of perfluoroalkyl substances on deep eutectic solvent-based amorphous metal-organic framework: Structure and mechanism

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of emerging organic pollutants characterized by high toxicity, environmental persistence, and widespread detection in water sources. The removal of PFASs from water is a matter of global concern, given their detrimental impact on both the environment and public health. Many commonly used PFAS adsorbents demonstrate limited adsorption capacities and/or slow adsorption kinetics. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of efficient adsorbents. For the first time, this work systematically investigated the performance of a deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based amorphous metal-organic framework (MOF) for the adsorption of PFASs with different carbon-chain lengths under the state of the mixture in aquatic environments. The adsorption mechanism was probed by a suite of adsorption kinetics studies, adsorption isotherm profiling, spectral characterization, and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, revealing that PFAS adsorption is driven by synergistic capturing effects including acid/base coordination, CF-π (carbon-fluorine-π), hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, the adsorption processes of short-chain and long-chain targets were found to involve different rate-controlling steps and interaction sites. Hydrophobic interactions facilitated the swift arrival of long-chain PFASs at the coordinatively interacting sites between carboxyl termini and Lewis acid Zr unsaturated sites, thanks to their lower reaction barriers. On the other hand, the adsorption of short-chain PFASs primarily relied on a Zr hydroxyl-based ligand exchange force, which would take place at Brønsted acid sites. The existence of massive structural disorder in amorphous UiO-66 led to the development of larger pores, thus improving the accessibility of abundant adsorption sites and facilitating adsorption and diffusion. The presence of multiple types of interactions and flexible structure in defect-rich amorphous UiO-66 significantly increased the exposure of functional groups to the adsorbates. Additionally, this material possessed outstanding regeneration efficiency and outperformed other MOF-based adsorbents with high affinity for targets. It enhances our understanding of the adsorption performances and mechanisms of amorphous materials toward PFASs, thereby paving the way for designing more efficient PFAS adsorbents.

Construction of SU-102 for adsorption and photocatalytic synergistic removal of tetracycline

Tetracycline (TC) is a significant group of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are frequently employed in medical health and animal husbandry. However, the problem of TC residues has been increasing globally with the large-scale production and widespread use, posing a serious threat to the human health and ecological environment. In this paper, a green plant-based MOF SU-102 was prepared, and the adsorption characteristics of SU-102 on TC were investigated. SU-102 was columnar crystal with considerable specific surface area and pore structure, and it could adsorb TC quickly and effectively. And compared to SU-102-a, the adsorption rate of TC by SU-102-b has increased by nearly four times. The adsorption reaction was a spontaneous, entropy-gaining, heat-absorbing process. The adsorption mechanisms between SU-102 and TC were π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding. In addition, SU-102 also had considerable photocatalytic properties, and its application in adsorbent desorption treatment effectively solved the problem of secondary pollution.

Boosting CO2 chemical fixation over MOF-808 by the introduction of functional groups and defective Zr sites

CO2 cycloaddition has emerged as a promising approach for producing value-added cyclocarbonates and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Although MOF-808 serves as a stable catalyst for cycloaddition, its limited activity constrains broader applications. Through the modification with a fluoride group via a ligand exchange method, F-MOF-808-1.5 exhibits exceptional performance, achieving a 98.8% conversion with 97.8% selectivity to epichlorohydrin carbonate-marking a substantial 100% improvement compared to pristine MOF-808. The defective Zr sites and the electron-withdrawing groups synergistically promote the ring opening of epoxides. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrates high stability over multiple reaction cycles. Notably, without adding solvents and co-catalysts, F-MOF-808-1.5 outperforms most reported MOF-based catalysts.

Recent trends in wastewater treatment by using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites: A critical view-point

Respecting the basic need of clean and safe water on earth for every individual, it is necessary to take auspicious steps for waste-water treatment. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as promising material because of their intrinsic features including the porosity and high surface area. Further, structural tunability of MOFs by following the principles of reticular chemistry, the MOFs can be functionalized for the high adsorption performance as well as adsorptive removal of target materials. However, there are still some major concerns associated with MOFs limiting their commercialization as promising adsorbents for waste-water treatment. The cost, toxicity and regenerability are the major issues to be addressed for MOFs to get insightful results. In this article, we have concise the current strategies to enhance the adsorption capacity of MOFs during the water-treatment for the removal of toxic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals. Further, we have also discussed the role of metallic nodes, linkers and associated functional groups for effective removal of toxic water pollutants. In addition to conformist overview, we have critically analyzed the MOFs as adsorbents in terms of toxicity, cost and regenerability. These factors are utmost important to address before commercialization of MOFs as adsorbents for water-treatment. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed to give directions for potential research.

Self-Assembled Aminated and TEMPO Cellulose Nanofibers (Am/TEMPO-CNF) Aerogel for Adsorptive Removal of Oxytetracycline and Chloramphenicol Antibiotics from Water

Antibiotics are used for the well-being of human beings and other animals. Detectable levels of antibiotics can be found in pharmaceutical, municipal, and animal effluents. Therefore, the treatment of antibiotic contaminated water is of great concern. In this study, we fabricated a sustainable aminated/TEMPO cellulose nanofiber (Am/TEMPO-CNF) aerogel to remove oxytetracycline (OTC) and chloramphenicol (CAP) from synthetic wastewater. The prepared aerogel was characterized using different analytical techniques such as elemental analysis, FTIR, TGA, SEM-EDS, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The characterization techniques confirmed the presence and interaction of quaternary amine -[NR3]+ and -COOH groups on Am/TEMPO-CNF with OTC and CAP, which validates the successful modification of Am/TEMPO-CNF. The adsorption process of the pollutants was examined as a function of solution pH, concentrations, reaction time, and temperatures. The maximum adsorption capacity was 153.13 and 150.15 mg/g for OTC and CAP, respectively. The pseudo-second order (PSO-2) was well fitted to both OTC and CAP, confirming the removal is via chemisorption. Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction have been postulated as key factors in facilitating OTC and CAP adsorption according to spectroscopic studies. Energetically, the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic for both pollutants. In conclusion, the efficient removal rate and excellent reusability of Am/TEMPO-CNF indicate the strong potential of the adsorbent for antibiotics' removal.

Investigation of ternary Zn-Co-Fe layered double hydroxide as a multifunctional 2D layered adsorbent for moxifloxacin and antifungal disinfection

Layered double hydroxides have recently gained wide interest as promising multifunctional nanomaterials. In this work, a multifunctional ternary Zn-Co-Fe LDH was prepared and characterized using XRD, FTIR, BET, TEM, SEM, and EDX. This LDH showed a typical XRD pattern with a crystallite size of 3.52 nm and a BET surface area of 155.9 m2/g. This LDH was investigated, for the first time, as an adsorbent for moxifloxacin, a common fluoroquinolones antibiotic, showing a maximum removal efficiency and equilibrium time of 217.81 mg/g and 60 min, respectively. Its antifungal activity, for the first time, was investigated against Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor fungi at various concentrations (1000-1.95 µg/mL). This LDH was found to be effective against a variety of fungal strains, particularly Penicillium and Mucor species and showed zones of inhibition of 19.3 and 21.6 mm for Penicillium and Mucor, respectively, with an inhibition of 85% for Penicillium species and 68.3% for Mucormycosis. The highest antifungal efficacy results were obtained at very low MIC concentrations (33.3 and 62 µg/ml) against Penicillium and Mucor, respectively. The results of this study suggest a promising multifunctional potential of this LDH for water and wastewater treatment and disinfection applications.

Mechanisms and factors affecting the removal of minocycline from aqueous solutions using graphene-modified resorcinol formaldehyde aerogels

In recent years, concerns about the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater have increased. Various types of residues of tetracycline family antibiotic compounds, which are widely used, are found in environmental waters in relatively low and persistent concentrations, adversely affecting human health and the environment. In this study, a resorcinol formaldehyde (RF) aerogel was prepared using the sol-gel method at resorcinol/catalyst ratio of 400 and resorcinol/water ratio of 2 and drying at ambient pressure for removing antibiotics like minocycline. Next, RF aerogel was modified with graphene and to increase the specific surface area and porosity of the modified sample and to form the graphene plates without compromising the interconnected porous three-dimensional structure of the aerogel. Also, the pores were designed according to the size of the minocycline particles on the meso- and macro-scale, which bestowed the modified sample the ability to remove a significant amount of the minocycline antibiotic from the aqueous solution. The removal percentage of the antibiotic obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy. Ultimately, the performance of prepared aerogels was investigated under various conditions, including adsorbent doses (4-10 mg), solution pHs (2-12), contact times of the adsorbent with the adsorbate (3-24 h), and initial concentration of antibiotic (40-100 mg/l). The results from the BET test demonstrated that the surface area of the resorcinol formaldehyde aerogel sample, which included 1 wt% graphene (RF-G1), exhibited an augmentation in comparison to the surface area of the pure aerogel. Additionally, it was noted that the removal percentage of minocycline antibiotic for both the unmodified and altered samples was 71.6% and 92.1% at the optimal pH values of 4 and 6, respectively. The adsorption capacity of pure and modified aerogel for the minocycline antibiotic was 358 and 460.5 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption data for the modified aerogel was studied by the pseudo-second-order model and the results obtained from the samples for antibiotic adsorption with this model revealed a favorable fit, which indicated that the chemical adsorption in the rapid adsorption of the antibiotic by the modified aerogel had occurred.

2D Fluorinated Graphene Oxide (FGO)-Polyethyleneimine (PEI) Based 3D Porous Nanoplatform for Effective Removal of Forever Toxic Chemicals, Pharmaceutical Toxins, and Waterborne Pathogens from Environmental Water Samples

Although water is essential for life, as per the United Nations, around 2 billion people in this world lack access to safely managed drinking water services at home. Herein we report the development of a two-dimensional (2D) fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO) and polyethylenimine (PEI) based three-dimensional (3D) porous nanoplatform for the effective removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceutical toxins, and waterborne pathogens from contaminated water. Experimental data show that the FGO-PEI based nanoplatform has an estimated adsorption capacity (qm) of ∼219 mg g-1 for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and can be used for 99% removal of several short- and long-chain PFAS. A comparative PFNA capturing study using different types of nanoplatforms indicates that the qm value is in the order FGO-PEI > FGO > GO-PEI, which indicates that fluorophilic, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions play important roles for the removal of PFAS. Reported data show that the FGO-PEI based nanoplatform has a capability for 100% removal of moxifloxacin antibiotics with an estimated qm of ∼299 mg g-1. Furthermore, because the pore size of the nanoplatform is much smaller than the size of pathogens, it has a capability for 100% removal of Salmonella and Escherichia coli from water. Moreover, reported data show around 96% removal of PFAS, pharmaceutical toxins, and pathogens simultaneously from spiked river, lake, and tap water samples using the nanoplatform.

A combined experimental and modeling approach to elucidate the adsorption mechanism for sustainable water treatment via In2S3-anchored chitosan

A novel Chitosan/Indium sulfide (CS/In2S3) nanocomposite was created by co-precipitating Chitosan and InCl3 in solution, resulting in In2S3 agglomeration on the Chitosan matrix with a remarkable pore diameter of 170.384 Å, and characterized it for the physical and chemical properties. Under optimal conditions (pH = 7, time = 60 min, catalyst dosage = 0.24 g L-1, and dye concentration = 100 mg L-1), the synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated remarkable adsorption capabilities for Victoria Blue (VB), attaining a removal efficiency of 90.81%. The Sips adsorption isotherm best matched the adsorption process, which followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. With a rate constant of 6.357 × 10-3 g mg-1 min-1, the highest adsorption capacity (qm) was found to be 683.34 mg g-1. Statistical physics modeling (SPM) of the adsorption process revealed multi-interaction and multi-molecular adsorption of VB on the CS/In2S3 surface. The nanocomposite demonstrated improved stability and recyclability, indicating the possibility for low-cost, reusable wastewater dye removal adsorbents. These results have the potential to have practical applications in environmental remediation.

Construction of defective zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks for enhanced removal of toxic selenite: performance and mechanism studies

The development of effective adsorbents for the adsorption and removal of toxic selenite (SeO₃^2-) from wastewater is urgently required but challenging. Herein, formic acid (FA), a monocarboxylic acid, was used as a template to construct serial defective Zr-Fumarate (Fum) -FA based on a green and facile preparation method. Physicochemical characterization shows that the defect degree of Zr-Fum-FA can be flexibly controlled by regulating the amount of FA to be added. Owing to rich defect units, the diffusion and mass transfer of guest SeO₃^2- into the channel can be boosted. Particularly, Zr-Fum-FA-6 with the most defects exhibits superior adsorption capacity (519.6 mg g^-1) and rapid adsorption equilibrium (∼200 min). The adsorption isotherms and kinetics can be well described by the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Moreover, this adsorbent possesses excellent resistance towards co-existing ions, high chemical stability and good applicability in a broad pH range of 3-10. Thus, our study provides a promising adsorbent for SeO₃^2-, and more importantly, it proposes a strategy for rationally tailoring the adsorption behavior of adsorbents via defect construction.