Pharmaceutically active compounds removal from aqueous solutions by MIL-101(Cr)-NH₂: A molecular dynamics study

Discharging pharmaceutically active drugs into water and wastewater has become a significant environmental threat. Traditional methods are unable to effectively remove these compounds from wastewater, so it is necessary to search for more effective methods. This study investigates the potential of MIL-101(Cr)-NH₂ as a preferable and more effective adsorbent for the adsorption and removal of pharmaceutically active compounds from aqueous solutions. By utilizing its large porosity, high specific surface area, and high stability, the structural and transport properties of three pharmaceutically active compounds naproxen (NAP), diclofenac (DIC) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)) studied using molecular dynamics simulation. The results indicate that the MIL-101(Cr)-NH₂ adsorbent is suitable for removing drug molecules from aqueous solutions, with maximum adsorption capacities of 697.75 mg/g for naproxen, 704.99 mg/g for diclofenac, and 725.51 mg/g for sulfamethoxazole.