Synthesis and characterization of a novel Cu-MOF/SWCNT/Urease adsorbent for efficient removal of urea from water

Urea is a small, neutral, and highly stable organic pollutant that is difficult to remove from water using conventional treatment methods, and its accumulation in wastewater poses serious environmental and health risks. In this study, a novel composite adsorbent (CS SWCNTs/Cu MOF/Urease) was fabricated by combining a copper-based metal–organic framework (Cu-MOF), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), chitosan, and the enzyme urease to efficiently remove urea from water. The Cu-MOF was synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and the final composite was prepared by mixing and sonicating the three components. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX analyses, confirming the successful formation of the composite structure and the presence of C, O, Cu, and N elements after urease immobilization. Batch adsorption experiments were performed at various urea and adsorbent dosages, and residual urea concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically. The composite achieved high urea removal efficiencies (up to ۶۰%) and a maximum adsorption capacity of ۶۸۰ mg/g, outperforming previously reported adsorption-based urea removal methods. These results demonstrate that CS-SWCNTs/Cu-MOF/Urease is a promising, environmentally friendly adsorbent for efficient urea removal from aqueous systems

کلیدواژه ها:

Adsorption ، Urea removal ، Metal-organic framework ، Carbon nanotube ، Urease enzyme