Modified algae with nano copper oxide (CuO) were used as adsorption media to remove tetracycline (TEC) from aqueous solutions. Functional groups, morphology, structure, and percentages of surfactants before and after adsorption were characterised through Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Several variables, including pH, connection time, dosage, initial concentrations, and temperature, were controlled to obtain the optimum condition. Thermodynamic studies, adsorption isotherm, and kinetics models were examined to describe and recognise the type of interactions involved. Resultantly, the best operation conditions were at pH 7, contact time of 240 min, 5 g/L of dosage, initial concentration of 25 mg/L, and a temperature of 45 °C. The removal percentage of TEC under the optimum condition was 96%. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the removal efficiency was slightly increased with temperature depending on the positive value of Δ𝐻°, thus indicating that the adsorption phenomenon was endothermic. The Langmuir model fitted the study (R2 = 0.998), demonstrating that the adsorption sites were homogenous. The experimental results were best matched with the second-order kinetic model, implying that chemisorption was the primary process during the adsorption process. Compared to previous research and based on the value of qmax (15.60 mg/g), the biomass was suitable for TEC removal.
