Functional textiles for pharmaceutical removal from wastewater

Functional textiles for pharmaceutical removal from wastewater

Recent reports have exposed the dire environmental concern of pharmaceuticals residues in shared waters in Sjuhärad and wastewater treatment plants. Pharmaceuticals are of enormous importance for our health and well-being; thus, it is neither possible nor desired to stop using the pharmaceuticals at once. This leads to the immense responsibility of treatment plants to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater.

The complex chemical structure of the pharmaceuticals made them resistant to existing treatment technologies. Literature extensively identifies functional textiles with engineered surface moiety as a solution for this stalemate. Our recently completed doctoral project has established the proof-of-concept of a new textile-based advance oxidation system for the complete removal of various complex contaminants. In this context, the present project aims to further expand the scope of the textile-based advance oxidation system into a robust system for the complete removal of pharmaceuticals residue from wastewater (with a mathematical model). The outcome of this project will strengthen the Sjuhärad’s lead in research and innovation to protect public health and the environment.