Simultaneous adsorption of oxytetracycline and arsenic onto hydrous zirconium-modified chitosan/β-cyclodextrin composite: Mechanistic insights via statistical physics modeling, fractal-like kinetics, thermodynamic evaluation, and site energy distribution analysis

Key Points

• The research aims to explore the simultaneous adsorption mechanisms of oxytetracycline and arsenic using a multifunctional composite material.
• Synthesis of hydrous zirconium hydroxide-modified chitosan grafted with β-cyclodextrin.
• Characterization using FT-IR, XRD, BET, TGA-DTA, XPS, and SEM-EDS techniques.
• Application of statistical physics modeling and thermodynamic evaluations for analysis.
• The composite effectively adsorbs both oxytetracycline and arsenic.
• Fractal-like kinetics were observed in the adsorption process.
• Thermodynamic evaluation indicates favorable conditions for adsorption.