Synthesis of hydrazone-linked covalent organic framework for pH-mediated adsorption and removal of doxorubicin hydrochloride

Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) from pharmaceutical industry and daily life can cause inherent damage to human health and living organisms. The adsorption and removal of DOX from the contaminated water is urgent and the development of efficient adsorbents is highly desired. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have charming properties such as diverse structures, intrinsic porosity, large surface area and good chemical stability, presenting huge potential in contaminants elimination. Herein, a novel hydrazone-linked COFs (TpBch) was designed and synthesized via solvothermal method and served as an efficient adsorbent for pH-mediated adsorption and removal of DOX from aqueous solution. Intriguingly, the adsorption performance of TpBch was easily controlled by the ambient pH. The adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics and kinetics, desorption and regeneration of TpBch for DOX adsorption was detailedly investigated. Additionally, TpBch could be easily regenerated through the variation of pH, without the use of any toxic organic solvents. The developed hydrazone-linked COFs TpBch is promising as adsorbent for pH-mediated adsorption and removal of DOX from the aqueous environment with fast adsorption rate, high adsorption capacity and good reusability.