Removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using actinia-shaped lignin-based adsorbents: Role of the length and distribution of branched-chains

Highlights: • A series of actinia-shaped lignin-based adsorbent (LNAEs) was designed and fabricated. • The prepared LNAEs were applied to remove ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin from water. • Electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding were mainly involved in this adsorption. • Adsorption mechanisms were revealed from graft-chain length and distribution of LNAEs. • Structure-activity relationship of this adsorbent was built using a simple model. A series of actinia-shaped lignin-based adsorbents (LNAEs) featuring lignin(LN) as the core and grafted poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as the tentacle were designed and fabricated. LNAEs were applied to remove ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin from water, and their maximum adsorption capacities were 0.835 and 0.965 mmol/g at pH 6.0, respectively. However, their adsorption capacities were up to about 20 % and 31 % reductions in the present of NaCl and humic acid, respectively. Electrostatic attraction (EA) and hydrogen bonding (HB), including ordinary HB and negative charged auxiliary HB, were mainly involved in adsorption. Experimental and calculation results indicated HB contributes more than EA. The effects of two structural factors of LNAEs, namely, PAA branched-chain length(L) and distribution density(D), on the adsorption performance associated with HB and EA, were quantitatively discussed using a binary nonlinear model based on phenomenological theory. The fitting results were completely consistent with the experimental findings. D was more efficient than L in promoting HB and EA in adsorption due to the cooperative effects of adjacent branched-chains and enhanced activity of terminal groups. This study provides a better understanding of the structure–activity relationship of surface grafting-modified adsorbents and fundamental guidance for the exploitation and design of novel and efficient adsorbents.