Work

Photocatalytic Degradation of Efavirenz in Wastewater Effluents Using a Hybrid TiO2-Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Efavirenz has been frequently detected in wastewater effluents which poses health hazards to human beings and the aquatic organisms that may rely on the rivers and dams that receive the polluted effluents. This study reports the synthesis of titania nanoparticles embedded on a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP/TiO 2 ) as a photocatalyst for the degradation of efavirenz in wastewater effluents and river water samples. The hybrid MMIP/TiO 2 was synthesized via bulk polymerization of p-vinylbenzoic acid in the presence of TiO 2 , magnetite and efavirenz as a template. Pareto charts from factorial designs observed that during the photodegradation process, the initial concentration of efavirenz was more important than the mass of MMIP/TiO 2 and time of irradiation. Optimum degradation was observed for minimal mass of MMIP/TiO 2 (5 mg) within 15 min of irradiation while efficiencies increased with increase in initial concentration of efavirenz in both wastewater effluents and river water. Irradiation was done using light of 365 nm wavelength after 40 min contact time to ensure efavirenz gets adsorbed onto the polymer cavities before irradiation. The maximum adsorption capacity of the MMIP/TiO 2 in wastewater effluent was 176 ± 3.00 µg g − 1 while in river water it was 158 ± 4.92 µg g − 1 . High degradation efficiencies up to 95% were observed for efavirenz in river water and 99% in wastewater effluents. The photodegraded could be removed from solution after degradation using an external magnetic field. The results of the study show that photodegradation using the MMIP/TiO 2 could be a solution for remediation of efavirenz from wastewater effluents.

Source: Chemistry Africa

DOI: 10.1007/s42250-025-01430-w

Authors: Asenathi Sibali, Devrani Naicker, Vusumzi Pakade, Precious Nokwethemba Mahlambi, Thabang Mokhothu, Somandla Ncube

Institutions: Durban University of Technology, University of South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Language: English

Topic: Advanced oxidation water treatment

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290