A facile and green method for synthesis of ZnFeO@CMC as a new magnetic nanophotocatalyst for ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous media.

This study aimed to synthesize a ZnFeO@carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanophotocatalyst using a simple, facile, and green hydrothermal method for ciprofloxacin (CIP) removal from aqueous solutions. At first, ZnFeO@CMC was synthesized using the hydrothermal method, and then it was characterized. To assay the photocatalytic activity of ZnFeO@CMC, its ability was investigated in CIP and total organic carbon (TOC) removal by considering the effect of some variables such as initial CIP concentrations (5-30 mg/L), pH (3-11), nanophotocatalyst loading (0.1-0.5 g), and reaction time (20-120 min). The kinetic performance of the process was assessed by the first order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood models. The concentration of CIP and TOC in the samples was determined using high performance liquid chromatography and a TOC analyzer, respectively. The influence of competitive compounds was examined on the efficiency of the nanophotocatalyst through its application for a real wastewater sample. Moreover, the reusability and chemical stability of ZnFeO@CMC were studied. Advantages of this technique are as follows: •ZnFeO@CMC as a high potent magnetically separable photocatalyst is designed by a green, simple, and fast hydrothermal method.•ZnFeO@CMC displays significant photocatalytic activity in photocatalytic degradation processes for ciprofloxacin removal.•ZnFeO@CMC exhibits good chemical stability and reusability.