Detoxifying SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs from model and real wastewaters by industrial waste-derived multiphase photocatalysts

Abstract

The use of antiviral drugs has surged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in higher concentrations of these pharmaceuticals in wastewater. The degradation efficiency of antiviral drugs in wastewater treatment plants has been reported to be too low due to their hydrophilic nature, and an additional procedure is usually necessary to degrade them completely. Photocatalysis is regarded as one of the most effective processes to degrade antiviral drugs. The present study aims at synthesizing multiphase photocatalysts by a simple calcination of industrial waste from ammonium molybdate production ( WU photocatalysts) and its combination with WO 3 ( WW photocatalysts). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that the presence of multiple crystalline phases in the synthesized photocatalysts. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra reveal that the synthesized multiphase photocatalysts absorb visible light up to 620 nm. Effects of calcination temperature of industrial waste (550-950°C) and WO 3 content (0-100%) on photocatalytic activity of multiphase photocatalysts ( WU and WW ) for efficient removal of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs (lopinavir and ritonavir) in model and real wastewaters are studied. The highest k 1 value is observed for the photocatalytic removal of ritonavir from model wastewater using WW4 (35.64×10 –2 min –1 ). The multiphase photocatalysts exhibit 95% efficiency in the photocatalytic removal of ritonavir within 15 of visible light irradiation. In contrast, 60 min of visible light irradiation is necessary to achieve 95% efficiency in the photocatalytic removal of lopinavir. The ecotoxicity test using zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos shows no toxicity for photocatalytically treated ritonavir-containing wastewater, and the contrary trend is observed for photocatalytically treated lopinavir-containing wastewater. The synthesized multiphase photocatalysts can be tested and applied for efficient degradation of other SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs in wastewater in the future.

Unlocking the effect of Zn2+ on crystal structure, optical properties, and photocatalytic degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) of Bi2WO6

“…The Bi 2− x Zn x WO 6+ δ photocatalysts were dip-coated on the carbon surface (0.13 cm 2 ) of the working electrode of the commercial screen-printed electrode (DS110), following the procedure previously reported elsewhere. 42,43 Linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) at 5 mV s −1 from 0.2 to 1.4 V (V vs. Ag–AgCl) and chronoamperometry (CA) at 1.4 V ( vs. Ag–AgCl) for 1 h were conducted.…”

Unveiling the origin of the efficient photocatalytic degradation of nitazoxanide over bismuth (oxy)iodide crystalline phases

“…39 Similarly, the efficiency of the photocatalytic removal of ritonavir was decreased by introducing Cl − , NO 3 − , and H 2 PO 4 − . 11 Fig. 6d shows the influence of water matrices on the efficiency of the photocatalytic removal of nitazoxanide by the synthesized samples.…”

“…Among the advanced oxidation processes, heterogeneous photocatalysis holds promise for effectively removing antiviral drugs and other emerging water pollutants thanks to its in situ generation of reactive species, efficiency, stability, recoverability, reusability, low energy consumption, mild operating conditions, and cost-effectiveness. 8 Previously, we used SnO 2 @ZnS, 9 elsmoreite/tungsten oxide@ZnS, 10 and industrial waste-derived multiphase photocatalysts 11 to effectively remove various selected pharmaceuticals and antiviral drugs from the contaminated model and real wastewater and explored the toxicity of the photocatalytically treated lopinavir- and ritonavir-containing water and wastewater. 12 Wang et al 13 studied the photodegradation of oseltamivir phosphate using TiO 2 -P25 and found that although >95% was removed after 80 min of UV-A irradiation, the removal efficiency of total organic carbon was only 45.6–67.0%.…”

Pharmaceutical Wastewater Remediation: A Review of Treatment Techniques

“…Tests were also conducted in real wastewater for which the efficiency of the process was reduced. 63 The photocatalyzed process was tried for the removal of pharmaceuticals, Lopinavar and Ritonavir, using waste from industry as a catalyst, 64 obtained by simple calcination of industrial waste from ammonium molybdate with WO 3 . About 95% Ritonavir removal was obtained in a duration of 15 min of visible light radiation.…”