Preparation of antimicrobial composite from Arabic gum-grafted-poly(p-phenylene diamine)/MOF(Fe) decorated with Cu nanoparticles as a unique nanobiosorbent for removal of cloxacillin antibiotic

Abstract

The growth of the world population has led to an increase in the demand for fresh water. Water pollution is often caused by hasty urbanization without proper management of hazardous waste. Therefore, it is vital to implement new methods to remove pollutants from water. In the current study, an antimicrobial nanocomposite adsorbent composed of Arabic gum-grafted-poly(para phenylene diamine) (AG-g-PpPA) decorated with metal-organic framework and copper nanoparticles (AG-g-PpPA@MOF(Fe)/Cu) was synthesized via in-situ copolymerization. The nanocomposite was utilized for eliminating the antibiotic cloxacillin from water solutions. The effects of different factors were analyzed, including pH, the quantity of adsorbent, contact time, and preliminary cloxacillin concentrations. Ideal parameters were pH 7, 5 mg adsorbent dosage, 10 min contact time, and an initial 500 mg/L cloxacillin concentration. The adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm equation, with a maximum adsorption ability of 400 mg/g. The kinetics information appropriately fits a pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic calculation showed the adsorption occurred spontaneously. The nanocomposite also displayed antibacterial action in contradiction to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the adsorbent could be recovered and reused effectively. The excellent adsorption ability highlights the potential of AG-g-PpPA@MOF(Fe)/Cu adsorbent for eliminating pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater.

Keywords

• Antibiotic removal
• Antimicrobial nanocomposite
• Arabic gum
• Poly(para-phenylenediamine)
• MOF(Fe)