Efficient degradation of sulfonamides by introducing sulfur to magnetic Prussian blue analog in photo-assisted persulfate oxidation system

The peroxynitrite photocatalytic degradation system was considered a green, convenient, and efficient water treatment process, but not satisfying against some antibiotics, e.g. sulfonamides (SAs). To improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of SAs, sulfur was introduced to a magnetic Fe-MOF (Fe-metal organic framework) Prussian blue analog to achieve a heteroatomic material CuFeO@S, which was applied in heterogeneous visible light photo-assisted catalytic process with persulfate (PS) as an oxidant. The characterization results of CuFeO@S by XRD and XPS confirmed the presence of Fe3O4 (for magnetic separation), Cu+ (for activation of PS) and S2- (for narrowing the energy band and prolonging the lifetime of photo-generated electronics). Through systematic optimization of reaction conditions in CuFeO@S + PS + hv system, efficient degradation of four tested SAs was achieved in 30 min (removal rate of 97-100% for the tested 4 SAs). Moreover, the material could be magnetically recycled and reused for over 7 cycles with a removal rate of >90% for sulfamerazine. Furthermore, the removal rate of sulfamerazine in pond water reached 99% at a mineralization rate of about 34% (decrease in total organic matter), demonstrating its potential in the treatment of antibiotic-containing wastewater.

ZnO and Au nanoparticles supported highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for sulfaguanidine and sulfamerazine detection

This study aimed to develop a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor using electropolymerization of thiophene acetic acid monomer around template molecules, sulfaguanidine (SGN) and sulfamerazine (SMR), for selective and sensitive detection of both antibiotics. Au nanoparticles were then deposited on the modified electrode surface, and SGN and SMR were extracted from the resulting layer. Surface characterization, changes in the oxidation peak current of both analytes, and investigation of the electrochemical properties of the MIP sensor were examined using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. The developed MIP sensor with Au nanoparticles showed a detection limit of 0.030 µmol L-1 and 0.046 µmol L-1 for SGN and SMR, respectively, with excellent selectivity in the presence of interferents. The sensor was successfully used for SGN and SMR analysis in human fluids, including blood serum and urine, with excellent stability and reproducibility.

The characteristics of CDOM structural composition and the effect on indirect photodegradation of sulfamerazine

Sulfamerazine (SM) is a commonly used antibiotic and have been widely used to control various bacterial infectious diseases. The structural composition of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is known to be a major factor that influences the indirect photodegradation of SM, yet the influence mechanism remains unknown. In order to understand this mechanism, CDOM from different sources was fractionated using ultrafiltration and XAD resin, and characterized using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The indirect photodegradation of SM in these CDOM fractions was then investigated. Humic acid (JKHA) and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) were used in this study. The results showed that CDOM could be divided into four components (three humic-like components and one protein-like component), and terrestrial humic-like components C1 and C2 were found to be the main components that promote SM indirect photodegradation due to their high aromaticity. The indirect photodegradation of SM was much faster in low molecular weight (MW) solutions, whose structures were dominated by greater aromaticity and terrestrial fluorophores in JKHA and higher terrestrial fluorophores in SRNOM. The HIA and HIB fractions of SRNOM contained large aromaticity and high fluorescence intensities of C1 and C2, resulting in a greater indirect photodegradation rate of SM. The HOA and HIB fractions of JKHA had abundant terrestrial humic-like components and contributed more to SM indirect photodegradation.

Efficient visible light driven degradation of antibiotic pollutants by oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride via the homogeneous supramolecular assembly of urea

Graphitic carbon nitride (CN), as a non-metal material, has emerged as a promising photocatalyst to address environmental issues with the favorable band gap and chemical stability. The porous oxygen-doped CN nanosheets (CNO) were synthesized by an ecofriendly and efficient self-assembled approach using a sole urea as the precursor. The CNO photocatalysts were derived from the hydrogen-bonded cyanuric acid-urea supramolecular complex, which were obtained by pretreatment of urea at high temperature and pressure. The homogeneous supramolecular assembly was advantageous to the formation of uniform porous and oxygen-doped CN nanosheets. The formation process of the supramolecular intermediate and the CNO nanosheets were investigated. Moreover, doping amount of O in CNO could be controlled by the time of the high-pressure thermal polymerization of urea. The characterization results shown that the O atoms were successfully doped into the framework of CN by substitution the N atoms to form the C-O structures. The obtained CNO photocatalysts demonstrated the excellent visible-light photocatalytic performances for sulfamerazine (SMR) degradation, which was ascribed to synergistic interaction of porous structure and O doping. The degradation intermediates of SMR were identified and the degradation pathway were also proposed. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations proved that O doping changed the electronic structure of CN, resulting in more easier to activate O₂. This work provides a novel perceptive for the development of high-performance nonmetal photocatalysts by using the homogeneous supramolecular assembly, which exhibits great potential in the environmental treatment.

Accelerating the Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle via enhanced electronic effect in NH2-MIL-88B(Fe)/TPB-DMTP-COF composite for boosting photo-Fenton degradation of sulfamerazine

In the photo-Fenton reactions, fast recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes in Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) slows Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle, which remains big challenge that significantly retards the overall process. Herein, NH₂-MIL-88B(Fe) (NM88) was modified with 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DB) and TPB-DMTP-COF (COF-OMe) to in situ construct NM88(DB)_0.85/COF-OMe composite that could strongly harvest the visible light for photo-Fenton degradation of sulfamerazine (SMR). With the addition of DB, electron-donating effect of NM88 was strengthened, which then promoted amino groups to react with aldehyde groups (Schiff-base), and thus highly facilitated the interfacial contact between NM88 and COF-OMe. Such modifications increased the degradation rate constants for NM88(DB)_0.85/COF-OMe to 15.1 and 17.3 times that of NM88 and COF-OMe respectively with good reusability. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited 32-170 times higher degradation kinetics in comparison to other reported catalysts. Results showed that due to the Schiff-base reaction between NM88(DB) and COF-OMe, electron density on Fe(III) was decreased; and the photogenerated electrons of COF-OMe moved to NM88(DB) to reduce Fe(III), thus resulting in the generation of highly active Fe(II) and ·OH species. Furthermore, the main reactive species were determined to be ·OH and ·O₂^- by trapping experiments, and a possible mechanism of the degradation system followed Z-scheme charge transfer.

NaCl template-assisted synthesis of self-floating COFs foams for the efficient removal of sulfamerazine

The preparation of hierarchical porous covalent organic frameworks (HP-COFs) is of great significance due to their inherent porosity and low density. However, it is still very challenging owing to the poor machinability of COFs. Herein, a simple and cost-efficient strategy for the synthesis of HP-COFs was proposed. In particular, p-toluenesulfonic acid and NaCl, both of which can be recycled, are utilized as catalyst and template, respectively. The resulting HP-TpBD-900 featuring abundant macropore and mesopore as well as large specific surface area (~700 m² g^-1) possessed self-floating ability and was turned out to be a promising adsorbent for the efficient removal of sulfamerazine (SMR) in aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity is 168 mg g^-1, which is more than twice in comparison to that of material prepared without NaCl template. In addition, no significant decrease in adsorption capacity was observed after 5 cycles. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) method was utilized to elucidate the adsorption mechanism, which could be dominated by hydrogen bonding and C-H···π interaction. This work not only provides a new strategy for the synthesis of HP-COFs, but also contributes to boosting the application of COFs in the field of wastewater treatment.

Adsorption, desorption and coadsorption behaviors of sulfamerazine, Pb(II) and benzoic acid on carbon nanotubes and nano-silica

In this study, nano-silica (Nano-SiO₂), oxidized (O-CNTs) and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (G-CNTs) were applied as model adsorbents to study the adsorption, desorption and coadsorption behaviors of sulfamerazine (SMR), Pb(II) and benzoic acid (BA). The results showed that charge assisted H-bond (CAHB) formation played an important role in adsorption of SMR and BA on O-riched nanomaterials. The adsorption capacities of Pb(II) on CNTs were 21.46- 26.77 times higher than that on Nano-SiO₂, which was mainly attributed to surface complexation and cation-π interaction. The fraction of Pb²⁺ adsorbed in the inside channel of CNTs should not be ignored. In coexisting systems, the absolute sorption inhibition of the SMR (ΔQ_e^SMR) was compared with the amount of competitor adsorbed. Competitive sorption was observed as indicated by adding Pb(II) decreased adsorption of SMR on Nano-SiO₂ (ΔQ_e^SMR > 0), but hardly affected SMR adsorption on CNTs (ΔQ_e^SMR ≈ 0) which was attributed to cation-π interaction. In addition, CAHB formed between SMR and Nano-SiO₂ (ΔpK_a ≈ 4.34) was weaker than that formed between SMR and O-CNTs (ΔpK_a ≈ 3.15), which also consequently resulted in stronger competition of Pb(II) to SMR on Nano-SiO₂ than that on O-CNTs. Moreover, coexisting BA increased adsorption of SMR on Nano-SiO₂ and G-CNTs (ΔQ_e^SMR < 0), but did not result in an apparent competition on SMR adsorption by O-CNTs (ΔQ_e^SMR ≈ 0). These results emphasize that the environmental behaviors of a certain pollutant should be assessed carefully by considering the presence of other pollutants.

Covalent organic frameworks as efficient adsorbent for sulfamerazine removal from aqueous solution

Here, TPB (triphenylbenzene) - DMTP (dimethoxyterephthaldehyde) -COF was prepared, characterized and used as effective adsorbent for the removal of sulfamerazine (SMT) from aqueous solution. Its adsorption characteristics and mechanism were explored. With large channel (∼3.3 nm), high specific surface area (2115 m²/g), and high crystallite, TPB-DMTP-COF showed high adsorption capacity (209 mg/g), fast adsorption equilibrium (80 min), and good reusability. Natural pH condition was optimal for its adsorption capacity, while electrostatic repulsion between TPB-DMTP-COF and SMT accounted for the low adsorption performance at acidic or alkaline conditions. According to the DFT method, SMT molecules adsorbed in the pore-sites of COFs via C-H···π interaction was the predominant and stable adsorption configuration accounting for the efficient removal of SMT in large quantity. This study revealed the great adsorption potential of COFs skeleton itself in the application of environmental remediation.

Oxygen vacancy enhancing the Fe2O3-CeO2 catalysts in Fenton-like reaction for the sulfamerazine degradation under O2 atmosphere

To develop an efficient and reusable heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst is a great challenge for its application in practical water treatment. Effective oxygen vacancy (OVs)-promoted Fe₂O₃-CeO₂ catalyst was prepared by a sol-gel method, and applied in the heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction of the sulfamerazine (SMR) degradation. The Fe₂O₃-CeO₂ catalyst showed good activity and stability, and total SMR conversion was achieved in the Fenton-like reaction after 75 min at pH 3.0 and 45 °C under O₂ atmosphere. Moreover, the SMR removal was significantly enhanced under O₂ atmosphere. The surface-bounded OH radicals played a dominant role for the SMR degradation. The Fe₂O₃-CeO₂ catalyst remarkably promoted the generation of OH in the Fenton-like reaction under O₂ atmosphere, mostly because abundant OVs on the catalyst surface not only accelerated electron transfer to promote the H₂O₂ decomposition, but also oxygen molecules, adsorbed on OVs, formed O₂^-/HO₂ and promoted the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox cycle.

Dynamics of oxytetracycline, sulfamerazine, and ciprofloxacin and related antibiotic resistance genes during swine manure composting

Understanding the dynamics of veterinary antibiotic and related antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during swine manure composting is crucial in assessing the environmental risk of antibiotics, which could effectively reduce their impact in natural environments. This study investigated the dissipation of oxytetracycline (OTC), sulfamerazine (SM1) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) as well as the behaviour of their corresponding ARGs during swine manure composting. These antibiotics were added at two concentration levels and two different methods of addition (single/mixture). The results indicated that the removal efficiency of antibiotics by composting were ≥85%, except for the single-SM1 treatment. The tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) encoding ribosomal protection proteins (RPP) and efflux pump (EFP) and fluoroquinolone resistance genes (FRGs) could be effectively removed after 42 days. On the contrary, the TRGs encoding enzymatic inactivation (EI) and sulfonamide resistance genes (SRGs) were enriched up to 31-fold (sul 2 in single-low-SM1). Statistical analyses indicated that the behaviour of these class antibiotics and ARGs were controlled by microbial activity and significantly influenced by environmental factors (mainly C/N, moisture and pH) throughout the composting process.

Quantitative models for predicting adsorption of oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin and sulfamerazine to swine manures with contrasting properties

Understanding antibiotic adsorption in livestock manures is crucial to assess the fate and risk of antibiotics in the environment. In this study, three quantitative models developed with swine manure-water distribution coefficients (LgK_d) for oxytetracycline (OTC), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulfamerazine (SM1) in swine manures. Physicochemical parameters (n=12) of the swine manure were used as independent variables using partial least-squares (PLSs) analysis. The cumulative cross-validated regression coefficients (Q²_cum) values, standard deviations (SDs) and external validation coefficient (Q²_ext) ranged from 0.761 to 0.868, 0.027 to 0.064, and 0.743 to 0.827 for the three models; as such, internal and external predictability of the models were strong. The pH, soluble organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON), and Ca were important explanatory variables for the OTC-Model, pH, SOC, and SON for the CIP-model, and pH, total organic nitrogen (TON), and SOC for the SM1-model. The high VIPs (variable importance in the projections) of pH (1.178-1.396), SOC (0.968-1.034), and SON (0.822 and 0.865) established these physicochemical parameters as likely being dominant (associatively) in affecting transport of antibiotics in swine manures.

Application of affinity microspheres for effective SPE cleanup before the determination of sulfamerazine by HPLC

This paper describes the application of poly (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-N-methacryloyl-L-tryptophane methyl ester) [p(EGDMA-MATrp)] microspheres as an affinity sorbent for the SPE (solid phase extraction) cleanup of sulfamerazine (SMR) from food samples of animal origin before high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and N-methacryloyl-L-tryptophane methyl ester (MATrp) as a crosslinker and a monomer, respectively. Various parameters affecting the SPE cleanup efficiency of the p(EGDMA-MATrp) microspheres (contact time, pH, initial SMR concentration, ionic strength etc.) were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 8.55 ± 0.44 mg/g sorbent at pH 5.0. 90% of the adsorbed SMR was desorbed by using ACN:MeOH (5:5) mixture as a desorption agent. Applicability of the microspheres for the SPE cleanup of SMR residues in the food samples such as egg and milk with HPLC was also determined. It was demonstrated that the prepared p(EGDMA-MATrp) microspheres could be repeatedly applied for SPE cleanup of sulfamerazine before chromatographic analysis. Also, the recoveries of SMR in milk and egg samples were reasonably satisfactory and in the range of 71 to 90%.

Correlating the chemical and spectroscopic characteristics of natural organic matter with the photodegradation of sulfamerazine

The role of aquatic natural organic matter (NOM) in the removal of contaminants of emerging concern has been widely studied. Sulfamerazine (SMR), a sulfonamide antibiotic detected in aquatic environments, is implicated in environmental toxicity and may contribute to the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. In aquatic systems sulfonamides may undergo direct photodegradation, and, indirect photodegradation through the generation of reactive species. Because some forms of NOM inhibit the photodegradation there is an increasing interest in correlating the spectroscopic parameters of NOM as potential indicators of its degradation in natural waters. Under the conditions used in this study, SMR hydrolysis was shown to be negligible; however, direct photolysis is a significant in most of the solutions studied. Photodegradation was investigated using standard solutions of NOM: Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM), Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA), and Aldrich humic acid (AHA). The steady-state concentrations and formation rates of the reactive species and the SMR degradation rate constants (k1) were correlated with NOM spectroscopic parameters determined using UV-vis absorption, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR). SMR degradation rate constants (k1) were correlated with steady-state concentrations of NOM triplet-excited state ([(3)NOM(∗)]ss) and the corresponding formation rates ((3)NOM*) for SRNOM, SRHA, and AHA. The efficiency of SMR degradation was highest in AHA solution and was inhibited in solutions of SRFA. The steady-state concentrations of singlet oxygen ([(1)O2]ss) and the SMR degradation rate constants with singlet oxygen (k1O2) were linearly correlated with the total fluorescence and inversely correlated with the carbohydrate/protein content ((1)H NMR) for all forms of NOM. The total fluorescence and EEMs Peak A were confirmed as indicators of (1)O2 formation. Specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA254) and aromaticity showed potential correlations with the steady-state concentrations of hydroxyl radical ([HO]ss) and the corresponding formation rates (HO).

Solubility and release modulation effect of sulfamerazine ternary complexes with cyclodextrins and meglumine

This study investigated the effect on solubility and release of ternary complexes of sulfamerazine (SMR) with β-(βCD), methyl-(MβCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) using meglumine (MEG) as the ternary component. The combination of MEG with MβCD resulted the best approach, with an increased effect (29-fold) of the aqueous solubility of SMR. The mode of inclusion was supported by 2D NMR, which indicated that real ternary complexes were formed between SMR, MEG and MβCD or HPβCD. Solid state analysis was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), which demonstrated that different interactions occurred among SMR, MEG and MβCD or HPβCD in the ternary lyophilized systems. The ternary complexes with βCD and MβCD produced an additional retention effect on the release of SMR compared to the corresponding binary complexes, implying that they were clearly superior in terms of solubility and release modulation.

Investigation of inclusion complexes of sulfamerazine with α- and β-cyclodextrins: an experimental and theoretical study

Inclusion complexation behavior and binding ability of sulfamerazine (SMRZ) with α- and β-cyclodextrins (α-CD and β-CD) were investigated. The formation of inclusion complexes are studied by UV-visible, fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, (1)H NMR, FT-IR, DSC, XRD, SEM, TEM and molecular modeling methods. Both experimental and PM3 results indicated that the SMRZ is partially encapsulated in the CD cavity. The different spectral shifts observed in both the CDs indicate that different types of inclusion complexes are formed. Nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence studies demonstrated that SMRZ exhibit biexponential decay in water and triexponential decay in CD solutions. The resonance of the aromatic protons of SMRZ showed remarkably upfield shift in the complexes suggested that the aniline ring deeply encapsulated in the CD cavity. The amino and amido stretching vibrations at 3483 cm(-1) and 3379 cm(-1) respectively are strongly affected in the inclusion complexes. DSC curves for the inclusion complexes exhibited a broad endothermic effect from 106.4 °C, 123.8 °C and 234.5 6 °C for α-CD and 118.2 °C and 231.4 °C for β-CD. TEM images of both inclusion complexes are forms a nanochain like agglomerated structures with a width ranging from 40 nm to 100 nm. Thermodynamic parameters and binding affinity of the inclusion complex formation were determined and discussed.