High salinity enhances the adsorption of 17α-ethinyl estradiol by polyethersulfone membrane: isotherm modelling and molecular simulation

Abstract The increasing occurrence of steroidal hormone micropollutant in the aquatic environment and their associated consequences have caused serious environmental concerns globally. Adsorptive removal hormonal pollutants using polymeric membranes has been suggested but information on performance various conditions is lacking. In this study, we examined effect salinity polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to remove synthetic 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) from water. Our results show that an increase 0 3% higher retention EE2 onto PES 79.3 98.7%. experimental fit Freundlich isotherm model better as compared Langmuir model. parameters n K f yielded highest values at salinity. molecular simulation suggest a high increases binding energy between membranes, promoting PES-EE2 interaction through π – interaction, hydrogen bonding hydrophobic interaction. This study provides valuable for improving design specialised treatment facilities (in farming, pharmaceutical industries, etc.) allow other low-polar organic contaminants water via membrane-based sorption-elution method, recommend inclusion factor modelling adsorption capacity prevent oversaturation minimise release into environment.