Adsorption and removal of tetracycline antibiotics from aqueous solution by graphene oxide

Significant concerns have been raised over pollution of antibiotics including tetracyclines in aquatic environments in recent years. Graphene oxide (GO) is a potential effective absorbent for tetracycline antibiotics and can be used to remove them from aqueous solution. Tetracycline strongly deposited on the GO surface via π–π interaction and cation–π bonding. The adsorption isotherm fits Langmuir and Temkin models well, and the theoretical maximum of adsorption capacity calculated by Langmuir model is 313 mg g−1, which is approximately in a close agreement with the measured data. The kinetics of adsorption fits pseudo-second-order model perfectly, and it has a better rate constant of sorption (k), 0.065 g mg−1 h−1, than other adsorbents. The adsorption capacities of tetracycline on GO decreased with the increase in pH or Na+ concentration. The adsorption isotherms of oxytetracycline and doxycycline on GO were discussed and compared.