Novel polymeric adsorbents for diclofenac sodium removal from aqueous solution
Recognized as a "contaminant of emerging concern" by the European Union, diclofenac sodium (DCFS) poses significant risks to both human and ecosystem health. DCFS is a pharmaceutical contaminant that persists in aquatic environments due to its widespread use, incomplete removal by conventional wastewater treatment, and continuous environmental release. In her thesis, Lin Wang investigates polyketone-based materials and hydrogels as novel adsorbents for removing DCFS.
Wang developed polyketone-based adsorbents through targeted functional group modifications to enhance DCFS affinity. She also engineered hydrogels with optimized swelling properties and adsorption capacity to improve their practical utility in water treatment applications. Throughout her thesis, Wang benchmarked the synthesized adsorbents against commercial alternatives to evaluate their performance and real-world applicability.