Adsorption and electrochemical regeneration of 2D magnetic MXene nanosheets loaded with tetracycline

A delaminated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheet–Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle composite (DLMX-Mag) was synthesized using a facile batch fabrication method and applied to an adsorption and electrochemical regeneration process for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions. The addition of magnetite to the delaminated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets produced a composite with magnetic properties, a larger surface area, and more functional groups attached to its surface. These characteristics are beneficial for magnetic solid–liquid separation and act to increase the adsorption capacity of the material. The experimental data of TC adsorption on DLMX-Mag were best described by the Elovich kinetic model, and the Freundlich isotherm model. Physical and chemical characterization revealed that the adsorption occurred via a surface complexation mechanism. Optimization of the electrochemical parameters resulted in 100% regeneration being achieved for DLMX-Mag. After the fifth cycle of electrochemical treatment, the physicochemical analysis results indicated that the crystallinity of the materials was slightly reduced; however, the addition of new functional groups had the effect of ensuring that the adsorptive capacity was retained. These findings demonstrate that the synthesized magnetic nano-adsorbents should be useful for industrial wastewater treatment.