Removal of efavirenz in wastewater effluents using a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer: Synthesis, multivariate optimization and application

Efavirenz is the most detected antiretroviral drug in the aqueous environment and its levels are way higher compared to other antiretroviral drugs. This is a cause for concern and requires a shift towards finding remedial ways to minimize its potential impact to aquatic organisms. In the current study, a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized, optimized via central composite design and finally applied to remove of efavirenz from wastewater effluents. The magnetic smart polymer was synthesized via a bulk polymerization technique owing to its simplicity, low cost yet it yields a polymer of high purity. Efavirenz was used as the template and p-vinyl benzoic acid as the functional monomer. Based on coefficient plots, summary of fit and contour plots, the removal of efavirenz was directly affected by contact time, initial concentration of efavirenz and the mass of the magnetic polymer used under neutral conditions. The optimal binding capacity achieved after 40 min of contact time and neutral conditions was 44.9 μg g −1 . The polymeric sorbent could achieve 44.8 % removal efficiencies from real wastewater effluents polluted with 3.99 ng mL −1 of efavirenz. Reusability studies showed <4 % average loss in the binding capacity with every reuse cycle, while there was no loss in binding capabilities when the polymer was utilized at about half its binding capacity. • Efavirenz is the most detected ARVD in aqueous environments. • This requires development of remedial tools to minimize their presence. • The study has synthesized a magnetic MIP for application if wastewater effluents. • The MMIP can remove up to 44.8% of efavirenz from polluted effluents. • The MMIP has proven to be a potentially viable remediation tool for efavirenz.