Preparation, characterization, and tetracycline removal from water using aluminum oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles

ABSTRACT In the ongoing discourse surrounding environmental health, heightened attention has been directed toward contamination of aquatic ecosystems with antibiotics, particularly tetracycline. Graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising avenue for absorbing these antibiotics from water. This work explores the potential of ZnO and Al2O3 nanoparticles for tetracycline removal. Initially, Al(OH)3 and Zn(OH)2 were synthesized through hydrothermal processes and dried at 90 °C, followed by annealing at 400 °C to yield Al2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles, respectively. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results indicated that nanoparticles in their hydroxide forms, heated to 90 °C, displayed superior tetracycline removal efficiency compared to oxide forms heated to 400 °C. This preference may stem from heightened activity or the ionic potential (charge/radius) of aluminum hydroxide nanoparticles, irrespective of heating temperature (400 or 90 °C). The findings could pave the way for novel approaches to removing antibiotic contaminants from water, offering solutions to mitigate pharmaceutical pollution's adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and public health.