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Preparation and Characterization of a New Chitosan–Iron–Cobalt Composite for Tetracycline Sorption
* 1 , 2 , 2 , 3 , 1 , 4
1  Department of Chemical Sciences, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
2  Institute of Engineering, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, 21100, Mexico
3  Department of Languages and Specialized Training, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
4  Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Plovdiv University Paisii Hilendarski, Plovdiv, 4000, Bulgaria
Academic Editor: Wim De Malsche

Abstract:

The environmental persistence of antibiotics such as tetracycline (TC) in water systems has raised serious ecological and public health concerns. In this study, a novel composite sorbent for tetracycline sorption, based on chitosan modified with iron and cobalt, was synthesized and characterized. The structural and morphological properties of the composite were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of different functional groups on the sorbent surface, including -O-H, -N-H, -C-H, and -C-O. The successful incorporation of the metal oxides into the chitosan matrix was confirmed with the Me-O band at 554 cm-1. The SEM images revealed a sorbent with heterogeneous morphology that is favorable for adsorption. EDX analysis verified the uniform distribution of Fe and Co within the composite. The point of zero charge (pHPZC) was determined to assess the influence of the surface charge of the adsorbent. pHPZC of 9.6 indicated optimal tetracycline sorption under slightly acidic to neutral pH conditions. Preliminary sorption tests were conducted at pH 5 with 1 g/L of sorbent material and an initial TC concentration of 50 mg/L. The obtained TC removal and uptake were 43.90% and 21.95 mg/g, respectively. These results suggest that the sorbent is a promising new material for further investigation and water treatment applications.

Keywords: Chitosan; Iron-Cobalt Composite; FTIR; SEM-EDX; Tetracycline; Antibiotic Sorption; Wastewater Treatment
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