Sonochemical processes for the degradation of antibiotics in aqueous solutions: A review

Ultrason Sonochem. 2021 Jun:74:105566. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105566. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Abstract

Antibiotic residues in water are general health and environmental risks due to the antibiotic-resistance phenomenon. Sonication has been included among the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) used to remove recalcitrant contaminants in aquatic environments. Sonochemical processes have shown substantial advantages, including cleanliness, safety, energy savings and either negligible or no secondary pollution. This review provides a wide overview of the different protocols and degradation mechanisms for antibiotics that either use sonication alone or in hybrid processes, such as sonication with catalysts, Fenton and Fenton-like processes, photolysis, ozonation, etc.

Keywords: Antibiotic degradation; Sonication; Sono/Fenton; Sonocatalysis; Sonophotocatalysis; Sonozonation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Solutions
  • Sonication*
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Solutions
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water