TiO₂-Integrated Molecularly Imprinted Cryogels: Synthesis, Characterization, and Selective Adsorption of Sulfadimidine
Journal of Polymers and the Environment, cilt.34, sa.10, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 34 Sayı: 10
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10924-026-03978-1
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Antibiotic adsorption, Cryogels, Molecular imprinting, TiO2 nanoparticles
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The persistence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments has raised increasing concern due to their ecological effects and potential contribution to antibiotic resistance. Sulfonamide antibiotics, including sulfadimidine, are particularly important because of their frequent veterinary use and stability in water systems. In this study, TiO₂-integrated molecularly imprinted poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine) [poly(HEMA-co-4VP)] cryogel membranes were developed as selective adsorbents for sulfadimidine removal from aqueous media. To evaluate the effects of molecular imprinting and TiO₂ incorporation, imprinted and non-imprinted cryogels were synthesized with and without TiO₂ nanoparticles. The cryogels were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and swelling analysis. Adsorption was investigated at 25 °C under varying pH, ionic strength, initial sulfadimidine concentration, and adsorption time. Applicability and reusability were assessed in tap water and over five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. The TiO₂-integrated imprinted cryogel (MIP-2) exhibited the highest experimental adsorption capacity of 1.23 mg g⁻¹ and showed preferential adsorption of sulfadimidine over competing antibiotics. MIP-2 maintained the highest adsorption capacity among the four cryogel formulations in tap water and exhibited relatively stable performance over five consecutive cycles. The Elovich model provided the best fit to the kinetic data, while the Langmuir model provided the best fit to the equilibrium adsorption data. Overall, the developed TiO₂-integrated MIP cryogel provides a selective, reusable, and easily handled adsorbent platform for sulfadimidine removal.