Removal of fluoroquinolone drug, levofloxacin, from aqueous phase over iron based MOFs, MIL-100(Fe)

Herein, we report facile, rapid and cost-effective method for the preparation of MIL-100(Fe) via solid state reaction in a sealed autoclave. The as-prepared MIL-100(Fe) was further characterized in detail using various techniques including PXRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TGA, BET surface area and zeta potential analysis. The prepared sample was used as adsorbent for the removal of levofloxacin (LVX), an antibiotic from aqueous phase. MIL-100(Fe) achieved an uptake capacity of 87.34 mg/g based on the Langmuir isotherm. The results showed that adsorption mechanism followed pseudo 2nd order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm. The thermodynamic study revealed that adsorption mechanism was found to be impulsive and exothermic in nature. After 4 cycles of MIL-100(Fe) adsorption and desorption, levofloxacin removal efficiency attained was 86%.