Cobalt ferrite-MXene Nanohybrid: A dual-action approach for synergistic doxorubicin removal through adsorption-photocatalysis

The increasing presence of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), including pharmaceuticals, constitutes a serious threat to aquatic biological systems and human beings primarily due to the persistence and bioaccumulative nature of EOCs. Among these, doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, has emerged as a significant environmental contaminant due to improper disposal. This study presents a dual-function nanohybrid comprising of cobalt ferrite-MXene (CFO-Ti₃C₂) synthesized via a wet sonication method as a very effective material for the removal of DOX through synergistic adsorption and photocatalysis. The structural and surface properties of the samples were comprehensively characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), which confirmed successful fabrication of CFO-Ti₃C₂ nanohybrid. Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) was also utilized to investigate the magnetic properties of nanohybrid. Under optimized circumstance, CFO-Ti₃C₂ nanohybrid demonstrates remarkable adsorption capacity (15.16 mg/g) and photocatalytic efficiency, leading to a 97 % DOX removal at pH 8.5. The adsorption process is based on pseudo-second-order kinetics as well as Sips isotherms, highlighting multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous active sites. Enhanced photocatalytic degradation is attributed to the formation of a Schottky junction which promotes efficient electron-hole separation. The recyclability of the material is proven up to five cycles with negligible loss in performance which indicates stability and reusability. These findings suggest that the developed nanohybrid offers a cost-effective, recyclable and eco-friendly approach for removing DOX from wastewater. Its enhanced performance without generating secondary toxic substances, making it a sustainable approach for environmental remediation.