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Tackling antibiotic contaminations in wastewater with novel Modified-MOF nanostructures: A study of molecular simulations and DFT calculations

Salahshoori I, Namayandeh Jorabchi M, Mazaheri A, Mirnezami SMS, Afshar M, Golriz M, Nobre MAL

Environmental research, 2024

Abstract

The contamination of wastewater with antibiotics has emerged as a critical global challenge, with profound implications for environmental integrity and human well-being. Adsorption techniques have been meticulously investigated and developed to mitigate and alleviate their effects. In this study, we have investigated the adsorption behaviour of Erythromycin (ERY), Gentamicin (GEN), Levofloxacin (LEVO), and Metronidazole (MET) antibiotics as pharmaceutical contaminants (PHCs) on amide-functionalized (RC (=O)NH2)/MIL-53 (Al) (AMD/ML53A), using molecular simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Based on our DFT calculations, it becomes apparent that the adsorption tendencies of antibiotics are predominantly governed by the presence of AMD functional groups on the adsorbent surface. Specifically, hydrogen bonding (HB) and van der Waals (vdW) interactions between antibiotics and AMD groups serve as the primary mechanisms facilitating adsorption. Furthermore, we have observed that the adsorption behaviors of these antibiotics are influenced by their respective functional groups, molecular shapes, and sizes. Our molecular simulations delved into how the AMD/ML53A surfaces interact with antibiotics as PHCs. Moreover, various chemical quantum descriptors based on Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMO) were explored to elucidate the extent of AMD/ML53A adsorption and to assess potential alterations in their electronic properties throughout the adsorption process. Monte…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a simulation / modelling, done in computer models (in silico), not in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

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