An aromatic rings-functionalized chitosan-based flocculant (BDAT-CTS) is synthesized.
BDAT-CTS exerts enhanced interaction with the antibiotic (tetracycline, TC).
BDAT-CTS has high efficiency in the removal of binary contaminants of Cu(II) and TC.
Pairwise interactions among BDAT-CTS, Cu(II) and TC contribute to the flocculation.
蟺–蟺 stacking is the main interaction between BDAT-CTS and TC.