Enhanced removal efficiency towards azole fungicides from environmental water using a metal organic framework functionalized magnetic lignosulfonate

Abstract In this work, a novel magnetic composite was synthesized by modifying lignosulfonate and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 on Fe3O4 microspheres and was applied as an efficient adsorbent for removal of azole fungicides from water. The synthesized material was confirmed by a series of characterizations, exhibiting a high specific surface area (726.06 m2 g−1) and a desirable magnetic property (37.5 emu g−1). Then, the main parameters affecting the adsorption performance were optimized and the maximum adsorption capacity for tebuconazole and imazalil was 25.10 mg g−1 and 100.33 mg g−1, respectively. Besides, the adsorption process was proved to be spontaneous, endothermic and feasible and consistent with the pseudo-second-order model, as well as Langmuir isotherm model could describe the adsorption process most accurately. Moreover, the adsorption process of azole fungicides onto Fe3O4@LS@ZIF-8 was mainly based on the mechanisms of covalent bonding, π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding. Finally, the adsorbent showed satisfactory removal efficiency for azole fungicides from four kinds of environmental water samples. In consequence, the synthesized material can simultaneously adsorb a variety of azole fungicides with high adsorption capacity, and cost-efficiently and readily available, compared with other adsorbents.