Adsorbent based on activated carbon and iron oxide for removing tetracycline from liquid media

Powders containing activated carbon (BAC) and iron oxide (FexOy) with different component ratios (80/20 and 20/80 wt. %) were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation of iron salts in the pores and on the surface of the carbon. To assess the morphology, texture and structure of the composites, laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature adsorption-desorption of nitrogen vapor, and X-ray diffraction were used. It was revealed that the synthesized powders are mesoporous materials with a small contribution of macropores. The sorption properties of coal, iron oxide and iron-containing composites in relation to the drug compound tetracycline were studied. It was found that the sorption efficiency of antibiotic increases in the order Fe3O4 < BAC < BAC/FexOy-20/80 < BAC/FexOy-80/20. The kinetics of tetracycline adsorption on the powders under study was described by equations of pseudo-first and pseudo-second order reactions.