Effective removal of antibiotics from aqueous solutions by a robust activated carbon: experimental and theoretical study

Key Points

• This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of activated carbon in removing antibiotics from water.
• Synthesis of activated carbon from coal with high surface area
• Experimental adsorption studies for moxifloxacin and linezolid
• Density functional theory (DFT) analysis to understand interactions
• Activated carbon exhibits a high surface area of 3470 m²/g
• Demonstrated excellent adsorption capacities for both moxifloxacin and linezolid
• Hydrogen bonding identified as the primary interaction mechanism