Efficient removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution by Mn-N-doped carbon aerogels: Performance and mechanism

Abstract

Tetracycline (TC) is an organic pollutant that is difficult to remove in wastewater. TC pollution in water has gradually become a global concern. However, limited removal techniques could be used for TC-containing wastewater. Mn-N-doped carbon aerogels (MCA), as a new type of high-efficiency adsorbent, was used to treat wastewater polluted by TC. According to the Langmuir model, MCA has a superlarge adsorption capacity of TC (917.2 mg/g) at pH = 4, which is much higher than that of other adsorbents. Removal mechanisms include physical and chemical adsorption, ion exchange, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interaction. Results showed that MCA is a promising environmental friendly adsorbent with low cost, large specific surface area, high reproducibility, good stability, and high efficiency in removing TC from wastewater.