Two-dimension N-doped nanoporous carbon from KCl thermal exfoliation of Zn-ZIF-L: Efficient adsorption for tetracycline and optimizing of response surface model.

N-doped nanoporous carbon (NC) with two-dimensional structure derived from Zn-ZIF-L via KCl exfoliation and carbonization at different temperature were prepared for adsorptive removal of tetracycline (TC). Characterizations revealed the effective dopant of N atoms and low degree of graphitization with more defects related to the enhanced adsorption capacity of the NC materials. Benefiting from the huge surface area (2195.57 m g), high porosity (1.34 cm g) and accessible sheeting structure, the NC-800 exhibited its fast and efficient adsorption of TC in 60 min. Meantime, the maximum adsorption of TC could reach 347.06 mg g. Effects of pH, humic acid (HA) and ionic strength (Na, Ca) were studied along with the interactions among influencing factors investigated by response surface model (RSM). By optimizing experimental conditions from RSM, the adsorption capacity could increase to 427.41 mg g. Additionally, electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond interaction might play a dominating role in adsorption reaction. The NC-800 could maintain a high adsorption level after four cycles. Therefore, the NC-800 with great adsorptive property and reusability could be considered as an effective adsorbent with promising potential in applications for water treatment.