Adsorption of doxorubicin and 5-Fluorouracil anticancer drugs from aqueous media using MIL-101-NH2 (Co/Fe) bi-metal–organic framework

In the present study, the MIL-101-NH2 (Fe) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MIL-101-NH2 (Co/Fe) bi-metal–organic frameworks were synthesized using solvothermal method and their potential was investigated for the removal of doxorubicin (DOX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) anticancer drugs from aqueous solutions. The XRD, XPS, SEM, EDX, BET, and particle size/zeta potential analysis were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the obtained MOFs. The influence of operating parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and initial concentrations of DOX and F-5U was investigated on the adsorption capacity of synthesized MIL-101-NH2 (Fe) and MIL-101-NH2 (Co/Fe). The maximum monolayer sorption capacities of DOX & 5-FU using MIL-101-NH2 (Fe) and MIL-101-NH2 (Co50/Fe) were estimated to be 398.3&485.6 mg.g−1 and 538.4&645.4 mg.g−1, respectively. The pseudo-second-order and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models were well described the kinetic and isotherm data of DOX & F-5U. The reusability of MOFs was also examined after five cycles. In a fixed bed column, MIL-101-NH2 (Fe) and MIL-101-NH2 (Co50/Fe) could treat 612.3 & 715.1 and 760.2 & 850.4 bed volumes of DOX & 5-FU solutions. The obtained results revealed the higher capability of the MIL-101-NH2 (Co50/Fe) compared to the MIL-101-NH2 (Fe) for removing DOX & F-5U from aqueous solutions.