Coaxial Electrospun ZIF‐8@PAN Nanofiber Membranes for Tetracycline and Doxycycline Adsorption in Wastewater

Abstract

Abstract In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers functionalized with ZIF‐8 (ZIF‐8@PAN), exhibiting a core‐shell structure, are produced via coaxial electrospinning for removing tetracycline (TC) and doxycycline (DC). This approach aims to enhance the recoverability and stability of metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐based adsorbents while effectively minimizing the embedding of ZIF‐8 within the polymer in blend electrospinning. It is found that the highest removal efficiencies for TC and DC, obtained with 5% (w/v) ZIF‐8 (PZ‐5), are 72.2% and 94.1%. The maximum adsorption capacities are 83.4 and 150.2 mg g −1 , respectively. Kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic studies indicated adsorption is endothermic and conformed to pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Sips models. Mechanisms such as electrostatic attraction, coordination bonding, hydrogen bonding, and π – π stacking are primarily responsible. DFT calculations revealed PZ‐5 exhibited superior adsorption performance for DC compared to TC. Additionally, PZ‐5 showed good resistance to various ions and exhibited high antibiotic removal efficiency in real water. It also exhibited excellent stability and reusability after three cycles. The ZIF‐8@PAN nanofiber membrane developed in this study offers a novel approach for the efficient, stable, and easy separation of antibiotic from wastewater, as well as offers new insights into the application of MOF‐based materials in environmental remediation.