Removal of Beta-Lactams Antibiotics through Zero-Valent Copper Nanoparticles

Abstract

The removal of the beta-lactam antibiotics (ceftriaxone and cefadroxil) through zero-valent copper nanoparticle (nZVC) was studied in this work. Excellent removal degrees (> 85%) were obtained for both analytes in only 20 min of reaction. Studies were performed in both oxic and anoxic conditions, and in the presence of t-butyl alcohol (TBA), an inhibitor of radicals. The results did not show significant changes. Therefore, the hydroxyl radicals are not the main species responsible for the removal. Total organic carbon cefadroxil analysis indicated a removal of 57% after 180 min of reaction. Studies involving Cu + indicated that probably these are the principal species responsible for the removal of antibiotics. Kinetic studies have shown that two-phase reaction occurred in the antibiotics removal process and both phases followed pseudo-first order kinetic model. The first mechanism is related to the antibiotics degradation by Cu + species and the second mechanism is related to the antibiotics adsorption by hydroxides/oxides of Cu 2+ species.

Nitrate Removal by Zero-Valent Metals: A Comprehensive Review

“…Zero-valent copper (ZVC) has also been used for the removal of various contaminants, such as hexavalent chromium [151], different toxic chlorinated organic compounds [152][153][154], dyes [155,156], and antibiotics [157].…”

Nanoscale zerovalent copper (nZVC) catalyzed environmental remediation of organic and inorganic contaminants: A review

“…7) (Table 3). Oliveira et al (2018) studied the nZVC for the removal of cefadroxil 34 and ceftriaxone 35 antibiotics from aqueous solution under oxic and anoxic conditions. More than 85% of the antibiotics were removed within a reaction time of 20 min.…”

“… Oliveira et al. (2018) studied the nZVC for the removal of cefadroxil 34 and ceftriaxone 35 antibiotics from aqueous solution under oxic and anoxic conditions.…”

“…Thus, the catalytic ability of Cu 0 is related to generation of electron and ionic species (Cu + and Cu 2+ ), along with oxides and hydroxides over metal surface while performing the reductive degradation of environment contaminants ( Yamaguchi et al., 2018 ). When present in its lowest oxidation state (Cu 0 ) in the system, it has a strong tendency to involve in redox processes through one-electron transfer (Cu + + e − → Cu 0 , E o = +0.521 V) or two-electron transfer (Cu 2+ + 2e − → Cu 0 , E o = +0.342 V) ( Oliveira et al., 2018 ) and thus catalyze a number of homogeneous oxidative coupling reactions ( Ojha et al., 2017 ; Saha and Das, 2018 ; Sambiagio et al., 2014 ) or heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation processes ( Lu et al., 2004 ). However, the homogeneous reaction has an associated disadvantage of catalyst consumption and sludge formation ( Matavos-Aramyan et al., 2017 ).…”

Biogenic copper nanoparticles and their applications: A review

“…Oliveira et al [150], investigated the removal of beta-lactam antibiotics "Cefadroxil and Ceftriaxone" by zerovalent Cu NPs. The study showed excellent removal rates (> 85%) for both antibiotics in only 20 min.…”