Facial synthesis of an efficient magnetic composite adsorbent using multiwalled carbon nanotubes and frankincense resin for the removal of amoxicillin pharmaceutical pollutants

Abstract

We developed a new composite material (Fr@MMWCNTs) consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and frankincense gum (Fr-gum) functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles. The Fr@MMWCNTs has been characterized through various techniques such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, EDS, SEM, and HR-TEM, which revealed carbon nanotubes with external diameters ranging from 10 to 90 nm. The carbon nanotubes are surrounded by gum material and magnetite nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 5 to 15 nm. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (R2 > 0.982). studies focused on Amoxicillin (AMO) and demonstrated that the developed composite has a high adsorption capacity at 293 K was calculated to be 322.6 mg/g, which is higher than other carbon-based adsorbents. The kinetics of adsorption were accurately described by the pseudo-second-order model with a rapid adsorption rate of 25 mins. At 293 K, the process is feasible with a ΔG° of −3.16 kJ/mol. The ΔH° value of 3.6 kJ/mol suggests that the process is endothermic and physisorption. The composite has an affinity for adsorbing AMO, as shown by the ΔS° of 23.2 J/K/mol. This nanocomposite exhibits a significant ability to adsorb substances and possesses favorable thermodynamic parameters, making it a suitable material for a variety of applications, particularly in the areas of water treatment and management of pharmaceutical waste.