Functionalized magnetic nanomaterials for rapid and effective adsorptive removal of fluoroquinolones: Comprehensive experimental cum computational investigations

Highlights: • Magnetic responsive ferrite nanoparticles were successfully functionalized. • Functionalized nanoparticles were used for adsorptive removal of fluoroquinolones. • Adsorption process fitted best to Langmuir adsorption isotherm. • Dopa-CoF NPs presented best results with the view to attain drug free water. • Theoretical investigations further validated the experimental results. -- Abstract: Alarming growth of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environment has elevated concerns about their potential impact on human health. Taking cognizance of this, the present study is focussed on the coating of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with different functionalities and to use them as adsorbents for pharmaceutical waste. The thickness of the coating was analysed using Small angle X-ray scattering technique. Thorough study of the isotherms and kinetics were performed suggesting monolayer adsorption and pseudo kinetic order model, respectively. To get an insight of the interactions liable for adsorption of fluoroquinolones over the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles computational studies were undertaken. The results demonstrated substantial evidence proposing remarkable potential of these nanostructures as adsorbents for different pollutants with an additional advantage of stability and facile recoverability with a view to treat wastewater.