Magnetic zeolite@β-cyclodextrin-gum Arabic nanocomposite for adsorptive removal of levofloxacin

This study reports the synthesis, characterisation, and application of magnetic zeolite@β-cyclodextrin-gum Arabic (MZ@β-CD-GA) adsorbent for adsorptive removal of levofloxacin (LEV). The kinetic studies confirmed that the adsorption of LEV was described by pseudo-second order and Elovich models. Furthermore, Langmuir and Sips isotherms confirmed a monolayer adsorption process. While the Dubinin-Radushkevich model confirmed that the mechanism was controlled by chemisorption (E_a > 20 kJ/mol). Furthermore, the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of MZ@β-CD-GA nanocomposite for sorption of LEV was 150 mg/g. The negative values of ΔG° and positive ΔH° suggested that the adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The applicability of MZ@β-CD-GA material was evaluated for the laboratory-scale treatment of real water samples spiked with known concentrations of LEV, and the removal efficiencies ranged from 89-97.8%. Findings from this study indicate that MZ@β-CD-GA material was commercially feasible and can be used as an alternative adsorbent in antibiotic decontamination.