A biodegradable magnetic nanocomposite as a superabsorbent for the simultaneous removal of selected fluoroquinolones from environmentalwater matrices: Isotherm, kinetics, thermodynamic studies and cost analysis

The application of a magnetic mesoporous carbon/β-cyclodextrin-chitosan (MMPC/Cyc-Chit) nanocomposite for the adsorptive removal of danofloxacin (DANO), enrofloxacin (ENRO) and levofloxacin (LEVO) from aqueous and environmental samples is reported in this study. The morphology and surface characteristics of the magnetic nanocomposite were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) adsorption-desorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The N₂ adsorption-desorption results revealed that the prepared nanocomposite was mesoporous and the BET surface area was 1435m² g^-1. The equilibrium data for adsorption isotherms were analyzed using two and three isotherm parameters. Based on the correlation coefficients (R²), the Langmuir and Sips isotherm described the data better than others. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities ofMMPC/Cyc-Chit nanocomposite for DANO, ENRO and LEVO were 130, 195 and 165 mg g^-1, respectively. Adsorption thermodynamic studies performed proved that the adsorption process was endothermic and was dominated by chemisorption.