A facile route to magnetic mesoporous core–shell structured silicas containing covalently bound cyclodextrins for the removal of the antibiotic doxycycline from water

Abstract

The excessive use of antibiotics has led to various environmental problems; the control and separation of these antibiotics are important in environmental science. Herein, a novel mesoporous nanocomposite, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@mSiO₂-CD, has been synthesized for the removal of antibiotic compounds from aqueous media. The well-designed nanocomposite is composed of β-cyclodextrin functionalized surfaces, ordered mesoporous silica shells with large radially oriented mesopores, and nonporous silica-coated magnetic cores (Fe₃O₄). The synergistic action of both the mesoporous structure and the accessible cavity of β-cyclodextrin ensures the good adsorption of doxycycline. Furthermore, the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@mSiO₂-CD nanocomposite can be collected, separated and easily recycled from aqueous solution using an external magnet.