Simultaneous removal of Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and copper from aqueous solution by chitosan and MXene functionalized graphene oxide ternary composite based on anion-synergistic interaction

The simultaneous elimination of heavy metals and drugs is of the highest significance due to their destructive effects on both humans and the environment. In the current analysis, a novel and innovative ternary adsorbent (GO@MXene@CS) prepared using Chitosan (CS), graphene oxide (GO), and MXene for the removal of Norfloxacin (NOR), Ciprofloxacin (CIP), and copper (Cu2+) in single and binary pollutant systems (NOR-Cu2+, Cu2+-NOR, CIP-Cu2+, and Cu2+-CIP). To the best of our knowledge, there is no existing research that has reported on the simultaneous adsorption of NOR, CIP, and Cu2+ using ternary materials consisting of GO, CS, and MXene with this particular structure. GO@MXene@CS was found to possess wide pH adaptability and exhibit outstanding adsorption capabilities for NOR, CIP, and Cu2+ at 328 K, which were 7.53, 4.75, and 2.36 mmol g(-1), respectively. The uptake process can be best explained by using the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Furthermore, GO@MXene@CS demonstrated sufficient reusability in both model and synthetic wastewater. In the complex binary systems, the simultaneous existence of NOR and Cu2+, as well as CIP and Cu2+, boosted the mutual adsorption between them. The uptake mechanisms were mainly attributed to electrostatic interaction, pi-pi interaction, coordination, and hydrogen bonding, as exhibited by the outcomes from XPS and FTIR studies. This analysis offers an efficient approach for the development of novel adsorbents capable of effectively adsorbing antibiotics and heavy metals across a wide pH range.