Sericin‐coated polymeric microfiltration membrane for removal of drug‐based micropollutants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Drug-based micropollutants present in water sources are proven to be persistent, bioactive and toxic even at low concentration for human consumption. Therefore, the complete removal of the drugs from water is crucial to avoid long-term medical complications. In the present study, a novel sericin-coated adsorptive microfiltration (MF) membrane is used for the removal of drug-based micropollutants. RESULTS:The sericin-coated membrane was tested for removal of different classes of drugs from water. The membrane completely removed NSAIDs and antibiotics from water at 20 g L −1 concentration. The adsorption mechanism was profoundly influenced by charge-based interaction and hydrogen bonding, hence charged anionic drugs were more effectively removed than uncharged drugs. In multidrug mixtures, the removal efficiency was observed in the following sequence; ibuprofen > diclofenac > amoxicillin > ciprofloxacin > estrone > -estradiol. Desorption of the drugs from the membrane surface can be effectively controlled by altering the pH of the membrane-cleaning solution. Presence of other inorganic salts in the aqueous drug solution did not interfere with the removal efficiency of the sericin-coated membrane. The performance of sericin-coated membrane was studied using continuous adsorptive membrane filtration approach. The dynamic adsorption behavior of a fixed-bed membrane column was predicted using Bohart-Adams model. The model can predict the adsorption breakthrough curve with minimum experimental error.CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the unique application of sericin-coated MF membrane for effective removal of drug-based micropollutants from water, and demonstrates its easy regeneration and effectiveness for multiple cycles of filtration.

Evaluating the Performance of Ball-Milled Silk Fibroin Films for Simultaneous Adsorption of Eight Pharmaceuticals from Water

“…These results suggest that hydrogen and van der Waal’s were the dominant driving forces of the adsorption process. However, the positive values of and obtained for naproxen are suggestive of an endothermic mechanism driven by hydrophobic interactions between the aromatic rings of naproxen and the silk surface [ 20 , 36 ].…”

“…It was found that blending increased the adsorption capacities five-fold [ 19 ]. Verma and Subbiah [ 20 , 21 ] explored the feasibility of incorporating silk sericin, a by-product of degumming silk cocoons, for membrane modification. The modified membrane was used for the removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solutions.…”

Removal of contaminants of emerging concern by membranes in water and wastewater: An updated review

“…A prior study utilized experiments using a sericin-coated hollow fiber MF membrane to evaluate the removal efficiency of various PPCPs [45]. The membrane exhibited high removal efficiencies for ibuprofen, diclofenac, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin due to charge-based interactions and hydrogen bonding with functional groups on the membrane surface.…”

“…Charge-based interactions and hydrogen bonding on membrane surfaces significantly affect the removal of various drugs, including ibuprofen, diclofenac, and antibiotics. Hydrophobic interactions play a smaller role in the adsorption of certain unionized steroid drugs [45].…”

Mixed-Matrix Membrane Adsorbers for the Simultaneous Removal of Different Pharmaceutical Micropollutants from Water

“…Both processes showed an improved removal of MPs and their metabolites. ,, However, ozone usage is accompanied by (toxic) byproducts needing an additional separation process, whereas long contact times for the adsorption onto activated carbon (AC) are necessary, although shorter contact times for mesoporous AC have been reported . The use of multifunctional membranes − or membrane adsorbers − for water purification is an emerging application overcoming limitations of existing filtration processes. Advanced materials like molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) − and MIP membranes , were designed to specifically remove one certain substance.…”