Synthesis of AgNPs@aerogel cellulose material from sugarcane bagasse for antibiotic removal in water: Kinetic evaluation and process optimization

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2025.071

Abstract

Antibiotic contamination has emerged as a critical global concern due to the excessive use of pharmaceuticals in medicine and livestock production, leading to their persistent accumulation in aquatic environments. Conventional treatment methods often show limited efficiency, high cost, or environmental drawbacks, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. In this study, a green, porous AgNPs@cellulose aerogel composite was successfully synthesized using purified cellulose from sugarcane bagasse and lotus leaf extract as a natural reducing agent for silver nanoparticle formation. The structural and physicochemical properties of the materials were thoroughly characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, and UV–Vis analyses. XRD results confirmed the incorporation of crystalline AgNPs within the cellulose matrix, while SEM images revealed a well-preserved porous network with uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. BET analysis showed an increase in specific surface area from 70 to 87.2 m²/g after silver loading, indicating enhanced porosity. The optical band gap decreased with increasing AgNP content, demonstrating improved visible-light absorption capacity. Photocatalytic experiments showed that the AgNPs@cellulose aerogel exhibited significantly enhanced tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible light, achieving up to 95% removal under optimal conditions. Kinetic studies revealed that the TC degradation followed pseudo–first-order kinetics with high correlation coefficients (R² > 0.96). The photocatalyst also demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining over 85% efficiency after four cycles. These findings highlight the potential of AgNPs@cellulose aerogel as an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable photocatalyst for antibiotic removal from wastewater.