Self-propagating combustion synthesized magnetic cobalt carbohydrate-based adsorbents for tetracycline elimination

Abstract

Herein, a series of adsorbent magnetic cobalt carbohydrate-based (carbon source: glucose, maltose, and starch) carbon adsorbents (Co-Cs) can be rapidly prepared for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from water using a self-propagating combustion method. The results of batch adsorption experiments show that the composites exhibit excellent adsorption performance (maximum adsorption capacity of 430.54 mg/g) towards TC in a wide pH range of 2–10. As the concentration of humic acid (2–10 mg/L) increased, its adsorption capacity enhanced from 176.51 to 281.63 mg/g by forming bridge bonds. Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich models are more suitable for describing adsorption data. In addition, the hydrogen bond, complexation, and conjugation effect were the major adsorption mechanisms. The adsorption experiments of high concentration TC water samples were tested with hospital wastewater (adsorption capacity up to 236.31 mg/g), which provided some guidance for further practical application. The proposed synthetic strategy provides an efficient, excellent versatility and energy saving method for the preparation of high-performance magnetic adsorbents.