Conference Agenda

The widespread detection of fluoroquinolones in aquatic environments represents a growing environmental challenge due to their persistence and potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance. This work reports the development of a sustainable magnetic biochar@ZIF-8 composite derived from almond shell biomass for the efficient removal of fluoroquinolones from water. Biochar production was optimized using a central composite design evaluating pyrolysis temperature and residence time to maximize yield and adsorption performance. The optimized biochar was chemically activated with KOH, magnetized through in situ Fe₃O₄ formation, and subsequently modified via in situ growth of ZIF-8, generating a hierarchically porous structure with enhanced surface area and functional functionalities. Characterization by SEM–EDS, FTIR, BET, and TGA confirmed the successful integration of magnetic and metal–organic phases. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that removal efficiency was highest at pH 6, where fluoroquinolones predominantly exist in zwitterionic form. Kinetic studies were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting chemisorption mechanisms governed by π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and coordination with Zn²⁺ active sites. Furthermore, the composite retained more than 84% of its adsorption capacity after four regeneration cycles and enabled rapid magnetic separation. The results highlight the potential of almond shell-derived magnetic biochar@ZIF-8 as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable material for water remediation applications.