rGO-WO(3) Heterostructure: Synthesis, Characterization and Utilization as an Efficient Adsorbent for the Removal of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Levofloxacin in an Aqueous Phase

Herein, the heterostructure rGO-WO(3) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by HRTEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron microscopy), nitrogen physisorption isotherm, Raman, TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and zeta potential techniques. The HRTEM and FESEM images of the synthesized nanostructure revealed the successful loading of WO(3) nanorods on the surface of rGO nanosheets. The prepared heterostructure was utilized as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, i.e., levofloxacin (LVX), from water. The adsorption equilibrium data were appropriately described by a Langmuir isotherm model. The prepared rGO-WO(3) heterostructure exhibited a Langmuir adsorption capacity of 73.05 mg/g. The kinetics of LVX adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption of LVX onto the rGO-WO(3) heterostructure was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Electrostatic interactions were found to have played a significant role in the adsorption of LVX onto the rGO-WO(3) heterostructure. Thus, the prepared rGO-WO(3) heterostructure is a highly promising material for the removal of emerging contaminants from aqueous solution.