Total removal of amoxicillin from water using magnetic core nanoparticles functionalized with silver

• Published in: Environmental research 2022-08, Vol.211, p.113091-113091, Article 113091
• Main Authors: Caravaca, M., Vicente-Martínez, Y., Soto-Meca, A., Angulo-González, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Amoxicillin; Emerging pollutants; Nanoadsorbent; Remediation
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113091

Framed in the problem of emerging pollutants, in this work we introduce a novel procedure for the total removal of amoxicillin from water samples using magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with nanometric silver (Fe3O4@AgNPs). Experimental conditions such as pH, contact time, temperature, as well as adsorbate and adsorbent doses have been studied to achieve the total adsorption for different concentrations of amoxicillin in water. Particularly, for concentrations 10 and 100 mg L−1, a maximum removal efficiency of 100% was reached at room temperature and pH = 7 after 15 min of contact time between adsorbent and water samples under gentle shaking. The doses of adsorbent employed to remove 10 and 100 mg L−1 of amoxicillin were 100 and 500 μL, respectively. Characterization of the adsorbent surfaces was performed by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, BET analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Recycling studies were carried out employing 500 μL of NaOH solution 1 M during 15 min in order to explore desorption and reuse of the adsorbent, showing that Fe3O4@AgNPs remains unaltered and can be used for two more additionally adsorption cycles, exhibiting 93% adsorption efficiency after the third regeneration. The characterization of equilibrium isotherms and thermodynamics reveal a Langmuir-type endothermic chemisorption. •A novel nanostructured adsorbent for the total removal of amoxicillin from waters.•100% removal efficiency reported, for different concentrations of AMX.•AMX concentrations studied are higher than those found in real water samples.•Cost-effective, environmentally friendly method, under easy experimental conditions.•Nanoparticles can be totally and easily removed from the medium with a magnet.