The research group of Dr. Akshay Modi [Department of Chemical Engineering] has developed a sustainable method to remove antibiotic pollutants from water using crystal-like nanostructured materials called Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs). The study targets tetracycline, a widely used antibiotic that often contaminates water bodies. The team synthesized ZIF nanostructures using a green, water-based process, optimizing the metal salt flow rate and reaction time to control their morphology and performance. One version, made with a slower flow and shorter reaction time, removed up to 76% of tetracycline from water. Remarkably, these nanomaterials performed even better in real municipal wastewater than in synthetic samples. They also demonstrated excellent reusability across 10 cycles without needing any chemical regeneration, highlighting their sustainability. This work paves the way for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to producing scalable, high-performing nanoadsorbents for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, marking a significant step toward achieving cleaner water and improved public health. For more details, kindly visit https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2025.122178.
