Research Article

Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF

Volume: 21 Number: 1 March 30, 2026
TR EN

Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF

Abstract

Paracetamol, increasingly detected in aquatic environments, is an emerging contaminant with potential risks to reproduction, hormonal balance, and ecosystem safety. Developing efficient and sustainable removal strategies is therefore essential. In this study, the copper-based metal–organic framework HKUST-1 was utilized as a photocatalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible-light irradiation for the degradation of paracetamol. The combined HKUST-1/PMS/Vis system demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity, achieving more than 90% removal of paracetamol within 150 minutes. This performance was significantly higher than that obtained using PMS or visible light individually, highlighting the strong synergistic interaction between the catalyst and PMS activation under visible light. Radical quenching experiments identified sulfate radicals (SO4•–) as the primary active species, with hydroxyl radicals (•OH) also contributing. Compared to PMS/Vis, the presence of HKUST-1 markedly accelerated the degradation rate, confirming a strong synergistic effect between photocatalysis and PMS activation. Moreover, HKUST-1 exhibited high stability and reusability, retaining performance over multiple cycles without structural degradation, as confirmed by PXRD. This study demonstrates that pristine HKUST-1 can serve as an effective and recyclable photocatalyst for pharmaceutical pollutant removal, offering new insights into MOF-based PMS activation under visible light.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study complies with all ethical standards and does not involve human or animal subjects.

Thanks

The author would like to extend special thanks to Prof. Dr. Yunus Zorlu and the Nanostructured Functional Reticular Materials Research Lab – NanoFrames Lab research team under his leadership for their continuous support and contributions. The author also thanks Prof. Dr. Cengiz Yatmaz for his guidance and consultancy during the photocatalysis studies.

References

  1. Mingmongkol Y., Polnok A., Phuinthiang P., Channei D., Ratananikom K., Nakaruk A., Khanitchaidecha W. Photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the pharmaceutical agent salbutamol using the Mn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. ACS Omega. 2023;8(19):17254-17263.
  2. Zulfiqar N., Nadeem R., Al Musaimi O. Photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics via exploitation of a magnetic nanocomposite: a green nanotechnology approach toward drug-contaminated wastewater reclamation. ACS Omega. 2024;9(7):7986-8004.
  3. Ruziwa D.T., Oluwalana A.E., Mupa M., Meili L., Selvasembian R., Nindi M.M., Sillanpaa M., Gwenzi W., Chaukura N. Pharmaceuticals in wastewater and their photocatalytic degradation using nano-enabled photocatalysts. J. Water Process Eng. 2023;54:103880.
  4. Zia J., Riaz U. Microwave-assisted degradation of paracetamol drug using polythiophene-sensitized Ag–Ag₂O heterogeneous photocatalyst derived from plant extract. ACS Omega. 2020;5(27):16386-16394.
  5. Brillas E., Peralta-Hernández J.M. Removal of paracetamol (acetaminophen) by photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis: a critical review. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2023;309:122982.
  6. D’Alessio M., Ray C. Pharmaceuticals and groundwater resources. In: Fares A., ed. Emerg. Issues Groundw. Resour. Cham: Springer; 2016:101-144.
  7. Madesh S., Gopi S., Sau A., Rajagopal R., Namasivayam S.K.R., Arockiaraj J. Chemical contaminants and environmental stressors induced teratogenic effect in aquatic ecosystem: a comprehensive review. Toxicol. Rep. 2024;13:101819.
  8. Okuthe G.E., Dube E., Mafunda P.S. Effects of pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals on reproductive biology of aquatic fauna: penguins as sentinel species. J. Xenobiot. 2025;15(4):110.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Metal Organic Frameworks, Catalytic Activity, Materials Science and Technologies, Water Treatment Processes

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 24, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 21 Number: 1

APA
Özcan, E. (2026). Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF. Turkish Journal of Science and Technology, 21(1), 195-205. https://doi.org/10.55525/tjst.1775116
AMA
1.Özcan E. Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF. TJST. 2026;21(1):195-205. doi:10.55525/tjst.1775116
Chicago
Özcan, Elif. 2026. “Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF”. Turkish Journal of Science and Technology 21 (1): 195-205. https://doi.org/10.55525/tjst.1775116.
EndNote
Özcan E (March 1, 2026) Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF. Turkish Journal of Science and Technology 21 1 195–205.
IEEE
[1]E. Özcan, “Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF”, TJST, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 195–205, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.55525/tjst.1775116.
ISNAD
Özcan, Elif. “Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF”. Turkish Journal of Science and Technology 21/1 (March 1, 2026): 195-205. https://doi.org/10.55525/tjst.1775116.
JAMA
1.Özcan E. Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF. TJST. 2026;21:195–205.
MLA
Özcan, Elif. “Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF”. Turkish Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 21, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 195-0, doi:10.55525/tjst.1775116.
Vancouver
1.Elif Özcan. Paracetamol Degradation via Visible-Light-Assisted Peroxymonosulfate Activation on HKUST-1 MOF. TJST. 2026 Mar. 1;21(1):195-20. doi:10.55525/tjst.1775116