Adsorptive removal of pimavanserin from water using β-cyclodextrin polymer coated PVDF nanofibers

In this study, we present the synthesis of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers functionalized with an acrylic-β-cyclodextrin (β-CD-Acr) polymer as advanced adsorptive material for pharmaceutical removal from water. The modified nanofibers (NFs) demonstrated superior adsorption performance towards the model compound pimavanserin, with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 56.2 mg/g compared to 34.2 mg/g for the β-CD-Acr polymer alone. The maximum uptake capacity also nearly doubled (113.6 mg/g vs. to 54.8 mg/g) highlighting the benefits of using the nanofiber support. The versatility of this polymer allows it to be polymerized onto various substrates, making it a promising candidate for large-scale applications. The results suggest that this innovative adsorptive nanofiber system could play a crucial role in combating water pollution globally, offering an effective and scalable solution for the removal of hazardous pharmaceuticals from wastewater.