Effective utilization of Fe(III)-based metal organic framework-coated cellulose paper for highly efficient elimination from the liquid phase of paracetamol as a pharmaceutical pollutant

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the potential utilization of Fe(III)-based metal organic framework-coated cellulose paper (MIL-100(Fe)@CP) for the elimination of paracetamol (PCM) from water systems. The characterization of MIL-100(Fe)@CP was examined with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The modeling and optimization studies were examined using response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of adsorption parameters influencing PCM removal such as initial PCM concentration (Co), pH of solution, agitation time, and adsorbent dosage were evaluated by central composite design (CCD) in RSM. For maximum PCM removal efficiency, the optimum Co, pH, agitation time, and adsorbent dosage were 35.60 mg/L, 6.44, 167.06 min, and 16.87 mg, respectively. In these conditions, the best PCM removal efficiency was determined as 89.75%. The adsorption kinetic data for PCM were successfully expressed by the Weber–Morris and pseudo-second-order models. Moreover, the isotherm data was best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. All results indicate that RSM is efficient in predicting the removal efficiency of PCM onto MIL-100(Fe)@CP and the prepared novel material is a hopeful adsorbent for the highly effective elimination of pharmaceuticals such as PCM from aquatic systems.