Photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen and caffeine using magnetite-hematite combined nanoparticles: kinetics and mechanisms.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int

Centro de Química e Bioquímica, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.

Published: April 2021

The increased use of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) has contributed to the contamination of water systems and put pressure on the development of new techniques to deal with this problem. Acetaminophen (paracetamol), a common analgesic and antipyretic drug, and caffeine, a known central nervous system stimulant, are being used frequently by many people and found in large amounts in wastewater systems. In this work, their removal, by photocatalytic degradation, was promoted using magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) based on iron oxides. Besides being obtained from cheap and plentiful source, the magnetic properties of these NPs provide an easy way to separate them from the solution when the reaction is complete. Three types of hematite-based NPs, one pure (1) and two of them composed by a magnetite core partially (2) or completely (3) covered by a hematite shell, were synthesized and characterized. Sample 2 was the best photocatalyst for both pollutants' photo-assisted degradation. Under UV-vis irradiation and using a 0.13 g catalyst/L solution, the total acetaminophen and caffeine degradation (20 ppm/150 mL) was achieved in 45 min and 60 min, respectively. The identification of some of the intermediate products was carried out by liquid chromatography in combination with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A complementary Density Functional Theory (DFT) study revealed the relative stability of several species formed during the acetaminophen and caffeine degradation processes and gave some insight about the most favorable degradation pathways.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-12016-zDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

acetaminophen caffeine
12
photocatalytic degradation
8
caffeine degradation
8
degradation
5
acetaminophen
4
degradation acetaminophen
4
caffeine
4
caffeine magnetite-hematite
4
magnetite-hematite combined
4
combined nanoparticles
4

Similar Publications

Obesity significantly influences drug pharmacokinetics (PK), which challenges optimal dosing. This study examines the effects of diet-and-exercise-induced weight loss on key drug-metabolizing enzymes and gastric emptying in patients with obesity, who frequently require medications for comorbidities. Participants followed a structured weight management program promoting weight loss over 3-6 months and were not concomitantly on potential CYP inducers or inhibitors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

3D-printed devices for multiplexed semi-quantitative competitive lateral flow immunoassays.

Anal Methods

January 2025

Department of Applied Chemistry, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are widely used for the simple and rapid detection of various targets at the point of need. However, LFIAs enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes and the possibility for naked-eye semi-quantitative analysis are facing various challenges, including the requirement of large sample volumes, low efficiency, and accuracy. This is particularly the case for the competitive immunoassay format targeting the detection of low molecular weight compounds, such as, for example, drugs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This work presents an optimization of the construction, treatment, and activation of 3D-printed electrochemical sensors (E-3D). For this, was used a 2-full factorial design examining three key variables at two levels: electrode height, electrode diameter, and printing speed. Moreover, it evaluates various physical, chemical, and electrochemical methods to treat and activate the E-3D surface.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Babassu (Atallea sp.), a native palm tree from South America's Amazon produces bio-oil and biochar with significant potential for industrial applications. Babassu oil as a bio-based plasticizer is reported here for the first time to replace petrochemical alternatives in the production of conductive filaments for additive manufacturing purposes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Trace organic contaminants (TrOCs), including pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), present significant challenges for conventional water treatment processes and pose potential risks to environmental and human health. To address these issues, nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technologies have gained attention. This study aims to evaluate the performance of NF and RO membranes in removing TrOCs from wastewater and develop a predictive model using the Solution Diffusion Model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!