Enhanced removal of tetracycline using amine-modified ZIF-11: isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics
摘要
The impact of an amino ligand on the adsorptive capability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was explored through assessment of the NH2-ZIF-11 nanostructure. This framework was utilized to adsorb tetracycline (TC) from water, and its structural and morphological integrity was verified using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDS, and BET. Under the optimized conditions (contact time = 60 min, adsorbent dosage = 0.5 g/L, and TC concentration = 5 ppm), the maximum tetracycline removal efficiency and adsorption capacity of NH2-ZIF-11 were 90.7% and 9.03 mg/g, respectively. The incorporation of the amine group yielded a 2.1-fold increase in adsorption capacity compared with the parent ZIF-11. The process is best described by pseudo-second-order kinetics and follows the Langmuir isotherm. The process is thermodynamically favorable: spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-driven. The adsorbent also demonstrated robust durability, retaining its performance across three consecutive cycles. The facile, ambient synthesis of the NH2-ZIF-11 nanostructure yields a highly effective material for the remediation of TC. Its enhanced performance is a direct result of synergistic interactions of electrostatic forces, π–π stacking, and hydrogen bonds imparted by the amine functionalization. This fundamental understanding lays a critical groundwork for the practical development of MOF-based adsorbents.