Abstract: The environmental applications and implications of functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received much attention. In this study, the adsorption interactions of graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (G-MWCNTs) and functionalized MWCNTs, including hydroxylated MWCNTs (OH-MWCNTs), carboxylated MWCNTs (COOH-MWCNTs), and aminated MWCNTs (NH₂-MWCNTs), for tetracycline in the aqueous solution were systemically investigated, and the effects of Cu(II) and Ni(II) (two metal ions commonly present in aquatic environments) on MWCNTs-tetracycline interactions were examined. Results showed that the adsorption affinities followed an order of G-MWCNTs>OH-MWCNTs>COOH-MWCNTs>NH₂-MWCNTs, indicating that the adsorptive interactions between MWCNTs and tetracycline can be largely affected by the types and abundance of functionalities on the MWCNTs surfaces. Both Cu(II) and Ni(II) had a negligible effect on the adsorption of tetracycline to G-MWCNTs, but varied effects of the metal ions were observed for the three functionalized MWCNTs. In general, Cu(II) exhibited a more pronounced effect for the adsorption of tetracycline than Ni(II), due to the degree of complexing capability.

Key words: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Tetracycline, Adsorption, Complexation

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