The existence of traces of pharmaceutical substances in wastewater and the discharges from various sources like industries, agriculture, laboratories, etc., have an impact on surface water, groundwater, and underground water reservoirs. This contamination can result from the release of drugs and their metabolites from human and animal waste, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and other sources. Among the different types of pharmaceuticals, bactericides are extensively used by humans. Overconsumption of bactericides, including antibiotics, by humans can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant microbes. These resistant microbes can find their way into water bodies through wastewater discharge and agricultural runoff, further exacerbating the issue of antibiotic resistance. Another category of drugs, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of pharmaceutical compounds, including drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin that are stable and soluble in water. Because they don't easily decompose, they can persist in water bodies and potentially lead to water pollution. Their presence in water sources can have ecological consequences. The persistent and stable nature of many drug compounds, and pesticides, makes their removal from wastewater a challenging task. The uncontrolled use of pesticides, including fungicides, has contributed to the contamination of wastewater. Pesticides are designed to be persistent in the environment to effectively control pests, but this persistence can also lead to their accumulation in water bodies. The persistence and toxicity of pesticide pollutants have had negative consequences on water ecosystems. Hence, it is crucial to address the removal of drug related pollutants from water bodies, necessitating further research endeavors. For the elimination of such contaminants from industrial wastewater and wastewater from other sources, efficient wastewater treatment methods should be applied. Traditional wastewater treatment methods might not effectively remove these compounds, necessitating innovative research to develop better removal techniques. There exist a variety of advanced treatment methodologies tailored for wastewater, aimed at breaking down pharmaceutical compounds and substances resembling drugs. These techniques encompass a range of innovative approaches such as membrane-based treatments, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), UV irradiation, electrochemical methods, ultrasonic degradation, ion exchange mechanisms, the photo-Fenton process, as well as biological procedures, among others. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that these treatment methods often come with certain drawbacks. These include the potential for leaving behind residues, requiring extended reaction periods, and generating byproducts that can serve as additional contaminants within the treated water. In recent times, a particularly promising avenue for degrading drugs in wastewater has emerged, centered on catalyst-based degradation techniques. This approach has garnered substantial interest due to its ability to substantially reduce reaction times, ensuring exceptional degradation efficiency, and mitigating the occurrence of undesirable side reactions in comparison to more conventional degradation methodologies. The spectrum of catalytic drug degradation encompasses diverse strategies such as photocatalysis, microwave-catalysis, sono-catalysis, and the utilization of nanocatalysts. The judicious selection of a suitable catalyst holds the potential not only to effectively counteract the presence of contaminants but also to alleviate performance costs, ultimately leading to viable real-world applications. In the context of implementing catalytic drug degradation within advanced wastewater treatment systems at an industrial scale, it is imperative that such processes remain both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Against this backdrop, this chapter delves into a comprehensive exploration of various research endeavors related to the catalytic degradation of drugs. Additionally, it seeks to investigate alternative synthetic pathways, the adoption of catalysts with lower associated risks in precisely measured quantities, and the incorporation of solvents that align with environmentally friendly principles. By embarking on this scientific journey, we aim to unlock innovative strategies that not only facilitate effective catalytic drug degradation but also align with broader environmental and sustainability goals.

Catalytic Degradation of Drugs

章节
发表日期：

2025年

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Vinod Kumar Yadav,
Siddharth Baranwal,
Jeyakumar Kandasamy

摘要

The existence of traces of pharmaceutical substances in wastewater and the discharges from various sources like industries, agriculture, laboratories, etc., have an impact on surface water, groundwater, and underground water reservoirs. This contamination can result from the release of drugs and their metabolites from human and animal waste, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and other sources. Among the different types of pharmaceuticals, bactericides are extensively used by humans. Overconsumption of bactericides, including antibiotics, by humans can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant microbes. These resistant microbes can find their way into water bodies through wastewater discharge and agricultural runoff, further exacerbating the issue of antibiotic resistance. Another category of drugs, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of pharmaceutical compounds, including drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin that are stable and soluble in water. Because they don't easily decompose, they can persist in water bodies and potentially lead to water pollution. Their presence in water sources can have ecological consequences. The persistent and stable nature of many drug compounds, and pesticides, makes their removal from wastewater a challenging task. The uncontrolled use of pesticides, including fungicides, has contributed to the contamination of wastewater. Pesticides are designed to be persistent in the environment to effectively control pests, but this persistence can also lead to their accumulation in water bodies. The persistence and toxicity of pesticide pollutants have had negative consequences on water ecosystems. Hence, it is crucial to address the removal of drug related pollutants from water bodies, necessitating further research endeavors. For the elimination of such contaminants from industrial wastewater and wastewater from other sources, efficient wastewater treatment methods should be applied. Traditional wastewater treatment methods might not effectively remove these compounds, necessitating innovative research to develop better removal techniques. There exist a variety of advanced treatment methodologies tailored for wastewater, aimed at breaking down pharmaceutical compounds and substances resembling drugs. These techniques encompass a range of innovative approaches such as membrane-based treatments, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), UV irradiation, electrochemical methods, ultrasonic degradation, ion exchange mechanisms, the photo-Fenton process, as well as biological procedures, among others. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that these treatment methods often come with certain drawbacks. These include the potential for leaving behind residues, requiring extended reaction periods, and generating byproducts that can serve as additional contaminants within the treated water. In recent times, a particularly promising avenue for degrading drugs in wastewater has emerged, centered on catalyst-based degradation techniques. This approach has garnered substantial interest due to its ability to substantially reduce reaction times, ensuring exceptional degradation efficiency, and mitigating the occurrence of undesirable side reactions in comparison to more conventional degradation methodologies. The spectrum of catalytic drug degradation encompasses diverse strategies such as photocatalysis, microwave-catalysis, sono-catalysis, and the utilization of nanocatalysts. The judicious selection of a suitable catalyst holds the potential not only to effectively counteract the presence of contaminants but also to alleviate performance costs, ultimately leading to viable real-world applications. In the context of implementing catalytic drug degradation within advanced wastewater treatment systems at an industrial scale, it is imperative that such processes remain both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Against this backdrop, this chapter delves into a comprehensive exploration of various research endeavors related to the catalytic degradation of drugs. Additionally, it seeks to investigate alternative synthetic pathways, the adoption of catalysts with lower associated risks in precisely measured quantities, and the incorporation of solvents that align with environmentally friendly principles. By embarking on this scientific journey, we aim to unlock innovative strategies that not only facilitate effective catalytic drug degradation but also align with broader environmental and sustainability goals.