Synthesis, performance, and mechanisms of strontium ferrite-incorporated zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8) for the simultaneous removal of Pb(II) and tetracycline

• Published in: Environmental research 2022-09, Vol.212 (Pt C), p.113419-113419, Article 113419
• Main Authors: Kim, Gyuri, Yea, Yeonji, Njaramba, Lewis Kamande, Yoon, Yeomin, Kim, Sewoon, Park, Chang Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Lead; Strontium ferrite; Tetracycline; Zeolite imidazole framework
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113419

In this study, strontium ferrite (SF)-incorporated zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8) (SFZIF-8) that can simultaneously uptake Pb(II) and tetracycline (TC) in solution was synthesized and characterized. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared SFZIF-8 were characterized by various functional groups, higher average pore diameter (3.414 nm), and stronger negative charge (−30.5 mV). Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, effect of various water conditions including solution pH and temperature, and reusability were studied to evaluate its adsorption performance. The adsorption capacity of SFZIF-8 was compared with that of commonly used adsorbents (powder and granular activated carbon). SFZIF-8 showed much higher adsorption performance (429.6 mg/g and 433.4 mg/g for Pb(II) and TC, respectively) than powder activated carbon (129.9 mg/g and 142.0 mg/g for Pb(II) and TC, respectively) and granular activated carbon (249.3 mg/g and 263.0 mg/g for Pb(II) and TC, respectively) in Pb(II) and TC binary solutions. The SFZIF-8 adsorption behaviors for the removal of Pb(II) and TC were explained by the pseudo-first-order and Langmuir models from the adsorption kinetics and isotherm experiments, respectively. The regenerated SFZIF-8 exhibited a competitive performance even after the third cycle. These results indicate that Pb(II) and TC can be removed with SFZIF-8 via electrostatic attraction, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions. Therefore, by exhibiting effective and efficient adsorption performance, SFZIF-8 nanocomposites can be utilized as alternative and promising adsorbents for the simultaneous removal of both Pb(II) and TC. •SFZIF-8 was synthesized with SF and ZIF-8 for removing Pb(II) and TC.•The characterizations showed successful synthesis of SFZIF-8 with good properties.•SFZIF-8 had higher adsorption capacity than commercially available PAC and GAC.•Plausible mechanisms were proposed based on zeta potential and FTIR analysis.