A microwave assisted method to synthesize nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@methyl cellulose as a novel metal-organic framework for antibiotic degradation

In this research, magnetically separable nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@methyl cellulose (MC) as a novel metal-organic framework was designed by a facile, fast, and new microwave-assisted method and then characterized. To assay the photocatalytic activity of nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@MC, its ability in metronidazole (MNZ) removal was investigated by considering the effect of some variables such as initial MNZ concentrations (5–20 mg/L), pH (3–11), nanophotocatalyst loading (0.0–0.4 g), and reaction time (15–120 min). The kinetic performance of the process was assessed by the pseudo-first order and Langmuir-Hinshelwood models. The concentration of MNZ was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The optimal conditions for the maximum MNZ removal efficiency (85.3%) included pH of 11, MNZ concentration of 5 mg/L, photocatalyst loading of 0.2 g, and irradiation time of 120 min. Moreover, the reusability and chemical stability of nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@MC were studied. MNZ was successfully degraded at a rate of 77.58% in the fourth run. Advantages of this technique were as follows: • A facile, fast, and new microwave-assisted method was developed to synthesize nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@MC as a new nanobiomagnetic photocatalyst. • Pure-phase spinel ferrites, spherical particle morphology with smaller agglomeration, and ferromagnetic nature of nanoCoFe(2)O(4)@MC were confirmed. • NanoCoFe(2)O(4)@MC displayed a significant photocatalytic activity in the photocatalytic degradation of MNZ; moreover, it was easily separated by a magnet and exhibited good chemical stability.