ZnWO3/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite for enhanced Lactoferrin adsorption from wastewater

This study presents the development of a novel ZnWO₃/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite for the efficient adsorption of Lactoferrin (Lf) from wastewater. The composite was successfully synthesized via a combined precipitation and solvothermal method and thoroughly characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. Batch adsorption experiments revealed an exceptional maximum capacity of 60 mg/g at an optimal pH of 2.0, with adsorption equilibrium attained within 180 min. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the process follows a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism, while equilibrium isotherm data were best fitted by the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer adsorption. The nanocomposite exhibited remarkable reusability, retaining approximately 88% of its initial adsorption efficiency after five consecutive cycles, which underscores its practical robustness. Although primarily an adsorbent, the composite's enhanced visible-light absorption and facilitated charge separation also suggest potential for auxiliary photocatalytic applications. The ZnWO₃/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposite emerges as a highly promising, stable, and effective material for the targeted removal of proteins in advanced wastewater treatment processes.