Magnetic ³-PGA/Fe3O4 nanoadsorbents for the removal of a drug from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Methoprolol, known as one of the most frequently detected ²-blockers in surface water, causes negative impacts on the environment and human health due to its widespread use and resistance to hydrolysis. To date, very few water treatment plants remove methoprolol due to the ineffectiveness of conventional procedures, thus indicating the need for more efficient types of treatment for removal of this drug from aqueous solutions. A promising strategy is the development of more efficient adsorbents with a high surface area and adequate chemical modification aimed at the target pollutant, offering the possibility of total removal from water supplies and thus limiting potential environmental impacts. In this context, the purpose of this internship is to investigate the application of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with silica and ³-polyglutamic acid to capture methoprolol dissolved in water. This will involve an investigation of a synthesis route using ³-polyglutamic acid as a surface modifying polymer. Prepared adsorbents will be compared with analogous adsorbents containing the hybrid material Fe3O4@SiO2/SiCRG, in which the host research group has proven experience. The resulting materials will be characterized in terms of their chemical composition, specific surface area, morphology and other parameters, using a set of instrumental techniques. The adsorption of methoprolol by the compound ³-PGA/Fe3O4 will be evaluated by means of adsorption isotherms and theoretical adsorption models. In this work, the plan is to synthesize and characterize hybrid materials and to test their effectiveness in the removal of pharmaceuticals from spring water. The materials thus obtained will be analyzed for their performance in removing pollutants, and as proof of concept, will be evaluated as nanoadsorbents in natural water sources containing the drug. (AU)