Optimization of electrochemical regeneration of intercalated MXene for the adsorptive removal of ciprofloxacin: Prospective mechanism.

2D-Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets intercalated with sodium ions (SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x) were synthesized and utilized in simultaneous adsorption and electrochemical regeneration with ciprofloxacin (CPX). The primary focus of this study is to investigate the long-term stability of SI–Ti3C2Tx MXene and to propose the underlying regeneration mechanisms. The successful synthesis of Ti 3 AlC 2 , Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, and SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene was confirmed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical regeneration parameters such as charge passed, regeneration time, current density, and electrolyte composition were optimized with values of 787.5 C g−1, 7.5 min, 10 mA cm−2, and 2.5w/v% sodium chloride, respectively, enabling the complete regeneration of the SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. In addition, the electrochemical regeneration significantly enhanced CPX removal from the SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene owing to partial amorphization, disorderliness, increased functional groups, delamination, and defect creation in the structure. Thus, the synthesized nano-adsorbent has proven helpful in practical water treatment with optimized electrochemical regeneration processes. [Display omitted] • SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene serves as a promising candidate for the adsorption and electrochemical regeneration process. • The optimum conditions enable 100% regeneration of SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x. • Electrochemical treatment regenerates the adsorbent and improves the adsorption tendency. • SI–Ti 3 C 2 T x exhibited stability over ten regeneration cycles. • Regeneration occurs by a combined mechanism i.e. desorption followed by degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]