Smart adsorbent frameworks enabling high-efficiency pharmaceutical degradation via adsorption.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic systems pose ecological and health risks due to persistence and bioactivity.
• Conventional wastewater treatment methods show limited efficacy in removing diverse pharmaceutical pollutants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in smart adsorbents for pharmaceutical removal.
• To highlight synergistic strategies combining adsorption and catalytic degradation.
• To provide a framework for designing next-generation adsorbents.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on functionalized carbons, stimuli-responsive polymers, MOFs, magnetic composites, and nanozymes.
• Analysis of adsorption mechanisms (π-π stacking, electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, metal-ligand coordination).
• Evaluation of structure-property relationships, performance metrics, and recyclability.

Main Results:

• Smart adsorbents utilize tailored functionalities and pore structures for selective pharmaceutical capture.
• Combined adsorption-catalytic degradation enables *in situ* transformation into less toxic products.
• Key factors influencing adsorption include surface chemistry, pore architecture, and pH.

Conclusions:

• Smart adsorbents offer a promising approach for sustainable pharmaceutical removal from water.
• Further research is needed for scalable synthesis, enhanced selectivity, and regeneration.
• Integration into continuous treatment systems is crucial for practical application.