Regenerative Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Chitosan/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dot/Fe₃O₄ Nanohybrid for Selective Adsorption and Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Wastewater
Abstract
The continuous discharge of antibiotic residues into aquatic environments has become a major environmental concern due to their persistence, ecological toxicity, and role in accelerating antimicrobial resistance. Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a commonly used fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is frequently detected in wastewater because of its chemical stability and incomplete removal by conventional treatment systems. Therefore, the development of efficient, selective, and reusable adsorbent materials is essential for antibiotic remediation. In this study, a multifunctional magnetic molecularly imprinted nanohybrid based on chitosan, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs), and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was developed for selective adsorption and removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous systems. The designed nanohybrid integrates the adsorption capability of chitosan, selective recognition ability of molecular imprinting, surface interaction properties of N-CDs, and magnetic recovery functionality of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The synthesized nanohybrid was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and elemental analysis to confirm successful fabrication and structural stability. Adsorption experiments were performed by investigating the effects of contact time, ciprofloxacin concentration, pH, and adsorbent dosage. The nanohybrid demonstrated rapid adsorption behaviour, reaching equilibrium within 90–120 minutes. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating that chemical interactions between ciprofloxacin and active binding sites contributed significantly to adsorption. Equilibrium adsorption analysis showed excellent agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrating monolayer adsorption behaviour with a maximum adsorption capacity of 128.6 mg/g. The magnetic nanohybrid maintained more than 80% removal efficiency after six regeneration cycles, confirming its excellent recyclability. The developed magnetic molecularly imprinted nanohybrid provides an effective and sustainable approach for selective ciprofloxacin removal and wastewater remediation.
How to Cite
Gaurav , "Regenerative Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Chitosan/Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dot/Fe₃O₄ Nanohybrid for Selective Adsorption and Removal of Ciprofloxacin from Wastewater", Vol. 4, Issue 2, 22-05-2026, pp. 94-103.
