Insight into optimization of doxorubicin removal by a novel nanobiocomposite of doped molybdenum carbide and zinc ferrite onto pomegranate peels nanobiochar (Mo₂C-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB)

The current investigation is directed to design and assemble a novel nanobiocomposite by the facile microwave irradiation for binding of molybdenum carbide (Mo₂C), zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) and generated pomegranate peels nanobiochar (PPNB) for the formation of MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB. This was then aimed to explore its potential implementation in removing doxorubicin drug as emerging pollutant from aquatic systems. The elemental composition of MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB was confirmed by the EDX and XPS evaluations referring to the existence of various related elements as Mo, Zn, Fe, C, and O with 6.11, 3.66, 5.64, 17.04 and 67.55 %, respectively. The HR-TEM detected the MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB particles at 5.44–12.77 nm and the point of zero charge was characterized at pH 5.8. MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB was extensively optimized in adsorptive recovery of DOX pollutant under diverse experimental conditions providing pH 6.0, 30.0 min reaction time and 15.0 mg nanobiocomposite dosage. The nonlinear chi-square test (X²) and sum of squares of errors (ERRSQ) confirmed best validation to the pseudo-second order model, while Freundlich expression was identified as the most convenient isotherm model. The thermodynamics investigation referred to the spontaneity of DOX adsorption onto MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB via exothermic reaction. MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB exhibited excellent recycling stability for five consecutive cycles providing 5.7–6.3 % declining in the removal efficiency after the fifth regeneration process. Moreover, MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB was identified with excellent capability for recovery of DOX from contaminated water samples by reaching up to 93.4–96.7 % (tap water), 92.9–95.5 % (wastewater) and 88.6–91.3 (sea water). Therefore the outcomes of DOX removal by the testified MoC-ZnFe₂O₄@PPNB are pointing out to the outstanding behavior of this nanobiocomposite in decontamination of DOX drug pollutant from real waters based on the characterized high adsorption capability, regenerability and efficient application in real water matrices.