Sorption Capacities of a Lignin-Based Electrospun Nanofibrous Material for Pharmaceutical Residues Remediation in Water

Abstract

The threat of pharmaceutical residues in natural waters is a pressing concern in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Originating mostly from municipal and farms effluents, pharmaceuticals, poorly eliminated by traditional wastewater treatments enter the environment through sewage treatment plants discharges. Their adsorption on ecological adsorptive materials such as lignin may represent an interesting remediation solution. The present study sets out the sorption capacities and properties of a newly developed lignin-based nanofibrous material for typical pharmaceutical residues (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine) found in surface waters. This green biomaterial showed, in addition to its high recovery yield, excellent reusability through desorption (more than 90% recovered). As an example, adsorption levels reached 78 mg/g for adsorption of fluoxetine compared to 5-10, 49 and 75-80 for unfunctionalized silica, zeolites and ionexchange resins respectively. The innovative approach reported therein perfectly meets the concept of circular economy sought in modern societies.

Emerging environmentally friendly bio-based nanocomposites for the efficient removal of dyes and micropollutants from wastewater by adsorption: a comprehensive review

“…Electrospun lignin nanofibers were characterized by the presence of functional groups, such as ethers, alcohols, and aromatic rings by Camera and colleagues, who found that they removed 70% of the pharmaceuticals pollutant fluoxetine from wastewater (van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions, – stacking and hydrogen bonds). 231 Chemical crosslinking by glutaraldehyde successfully removed tetracycline, another significant pharmaceutical contaminant, from chitosan combined with PVA nanofibers. A strong adsorption capacity (102 mg g −1 ) was discovered when the various concentrations were adjusted to a volumetric ratio of PVA/chitosan (25 : 75).…”