Natural and synthetic polymers for water treatment against dissolved pharmaceuticals

Dissolved pharmaceuticals were removed by adsorption on some natural and synthetic polymers. Cellulose, chitosan, and sodium alginate were selected as examples of natural polymers while a synthetic copolymer of epichlorohydrin and urea was prepared for comparison. Water contaminated with some antibiotics was treated with these polymers using stirred flask and column methods. The particles size of the investigated materials was increased up to 2 mm diameter by converting them into beads. Combinations of polymers, natural or synthetic, were used together to improve their behavior. The synthetic polymer has shown better removal effect than that of natural ones. It has removed up to 75% of the drug in 6 h. Chitosan was the best natural polymers in removing dissolved drugs; up to 13% of the drug has been removed by it. The recycling properties of the polymers loaded with drugs were examined and up to 9% of the drug was successfully restored. In addition, fully loaded dry beads with drugs were grounded and recycled in an ointment as blends. Moreover, the swelling behavior of the beads in different mediums and under different conditions was examined. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40458.