Single and simultaneous adsorption of pefloxacin and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions by oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube

In this study, the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube (O-MWCNTs) was obtained by a simple method, and investigated by various techniques (SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS and zeta potential) for the removal of pefloxacin and Cu(II). The mutual effects of their adsorption onto O-MWCNTs were comprehensively clarified with sole and binary systems with adsorption kinetics, sorption thermodynamic and sorption isotherm models. The results indicated that there are site enhancement and competition of pefloxacin and Cu(II) on O-MWCNTs. According to mechanism investigation on the adsorption of pefloxacin and Cu(II) by XPS analysis, pH impact study, electrostatic interaction and π-π interactions, the low concentration of Cu(II)/pefloxacin could act as a bridge between pefloxacin/Cu(II) and O-MWCNTs, which significantly enhances the adsorption of pefloxacin/Cu(II). This study provided effective method and valuable reference for the elimination of pefloxacin/Cu(II) from aquatic environments.