Enhancing trimethoprim pollutant removal from wastewater using magnetic metal-organic framework encapsulated with poly (itaconic acid)-grafted crosslinked chitosan composite sponge: Optimization through Box-Behnken design and thermodynamics of adsorption parameters

Trimethoprim (TMP), an antibiotic contaminant, can be effectively removed from water by using the innovative magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) composite sponge Fe₃O₄@Rh-MOF@PIC, which is shown in this study. The composite is made up of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles and a rhodium MOF embedded in a poly(itaconic acid) grafted chitosan matrix. The structure and characteristics of the synthesized material were confirmed by thorough characterization employing SEM, FTIR, XPS, XRD, and BET techniques. Notably, the composite shows a high magnetic saturation of 64 emu g^-1, which makes magnetic separation easier, according to vibrating sample magnetometry. Moreover, BET analysis revealed that the Fe₃O₄@Rh-MOF@PIC sponge had an incredibly high surface area of 1236.48 m²/g. Its outstanding efficacy was confirmed by batch adsorption tests, which produced a maximum adsorption capacity of 391.9 mg/g for the elimination of TMP. Due to its high porosity, magnetic characteristics, and superior trimethoprim uptake, this magnetic MOF composite sponge is a promising adsorbent for effective removal of antibiotics from contaminated water sources. An adsorption energy of 24.5 kJ/mol was found by batch investigations on the Fe₃O₄@Rh-MOF@PIC composite sponge for trimethoprim (TMP) adsorption. The fact that this value was up 8 kJ/mol suggests that the main mechanism controlling TMP absorption onto the sponge adsorbent is chemisorption. Chemisorption requires creating strong chemical interactions between adsorbate and adsorbent surface groups, unlike weaker physisorption. The magnetic composite sponge exhibited strong removal capabilities and high adsorption capacities for the antibiotic pollutant. The Fe₃O₄@Rh-MOF@PIC composite sponge also showed magnetism, which allowed for easy magnetic separation after adsorption. Over the course of 6 cycles, it showed outstanding reusability, and XRD confirmed that its composition was stable. The high surface area MOF's pore filling, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and electrostatic interactions were the main trimethoprim adsorption mechanisms. This magnetic composite is feasible and effective for removing antibiotics from water because of its separability, reusability, and synergistic adsorption mechanisms via electrostatics, H-bonding, and π-interactions. The adsorption results were optimized using Box Behnken-design (BBD).