Functionalized Zn/Al N-doped carbon nanocomposites with tunable morphology: Synergistic ultrafast low-temperature synthesis and tetracycline adsorption

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 278; p. 119548
• Main Authors: Cao, Mengbo, Liu, Xun, Wang, Wei, Gao, Ming, Li, Yongsheng, Yang, Hongbing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Fuel type; Mechanisms; Mixed metal oxides nanocomposites; Self-sustaining combustion; Tetracycline adsorption; Ultrafast low-temperature synthesis; Tetracycline adsorption; Mechanisms; Self-sustaining combustion; Mixed metal oxides nanocomposites; Ultrafast low-temperature synthesis; Fuel type
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119548

[Display omitted] •Fabrication of mixed-metal composites via combustion reaction under low temperature.•Promotion influence of fuel type on physicochemical properties of sample.•Combustion reaction can provide inspiration for the time-saving preparation (0–10 s).•The adsorbents prepared in study have excellent adsorption capacity (>336 mg/g).•The adsorption capacity was enhanced by 32.5 % in 10 mg/L humic acid solution. The fast and efficient combustion technology was used to design zinc/alumina oxide N-doped carbon nanocomposites (Zn/Al-NCs) with assorted structures as pollutants adsorbent for capturing tetracycline (TC). XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX mapping, BET, and FTIR analysis techniques demonstrated the morphology and physicochemical properties of Zn/Al-NCs synthesized under mild conditions. The experimental results show that the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir model described the adsorption process well, indicating chemisorption and a monolayer adsorption nature. All Zn/Al-NCs exhibits excellent adsorption performance (>336 mg/g) to TC and the presence of humic acid (10 mg/L) made the adsorption capacity achieved a huge increasement (>446 mg/g) by forming a bridge bond. The adsorption mechanisms were pore-filling, electrostatic interactions, complexation, and H-bonds, confirming by BET, zeta potential, XPS, and FT-IR. The proposed synthesis strategy provides an efficient, excellent versatility, and time-saving way for preparing potential and high-performance materials for adsorbents.