2026-04-19T16:49:42Zhttps://riubu.ubu.es/oai/requestoai:riubu.ubu.es:10259/110262025-11-05T01:05:31Zcom_10259_6168com_10259_5086com_10259_2604com_10259_4313col_10259_6169col_10259_4314
Multifunctional smart polymers and citizen science for a comprehensive approach to nitrate pollution: Curative and preventive strategies
Vallejo García, Jorge Lucas
Hernández Ruiz, Raquel
Torija López, Alba
Trigo López, Miriam
Ibeas Cortes, Saturnino
Gómez Cuadrado, Laura
Martel Martín, Sonia
Barros García, Rocío
Vallejos Calzada, Saúl
Nitrate removal
Nitrate detection
Ion exchange polymer
Resin
Smart polymers
Water treatment
Toxicity assessment
Life cycle analysis (LCA)
Fluorescent sensor
Polímeros
Polymers
This work presents the development and evaluation of a multifunctional smart polymer (FNO₃)
for the extraction and detection of nitrates in drinking water. A total of 250 tap water samples
from various localities were analyzed, revealing nitrate concentrations that in some cases doubled
the legal limit (up to 100 mg⋅L⁻¹). FNO₃, composed of 49.75 mol% NNZA monomer with high
anion-exchange capacity, exhibited a maximum nitrate adsorption capacity (qmax) of
164 ± 5 mg⋅g⁻¹ , which is 3.6 times greater than that of commercial resins. The polymer
demonstrated significant swelling in water (~2014 ± 152 %) and incorporated a sensing functionality
via a fluorometric monomer, enabling visual detection when saturation occurs. Fluorescence
response studies yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.26 mg⋅L⁻¹ and a limit of
quantification (LOQ) of 12.92 mg⋅L⁻¹ , values that are below the regulatory thresholds established
by European and Spanish legislation for nitrates in drinking water. The material was tested
through multiple adsorption-regeneration cycles using domestic saline solutions, maintaining
stable efficiency. Interference studies indicated that carbonates present in hard water partially
reduce adsorption effectiveness. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) identified the structural materials and
functional monomers as the main contributors to environmental impact, while reuse and polymer
application offer environmental benefits due to nitrate recovery. Additionally, in vitro toxicological
assays with HepG2 cells confirmed the absence of cytotoxicity, supporting the polymer’s
viability for safe water treatment applications.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by all funders. Author S. Vallejos received Grant PID2023–147301OB-I00 and Grant 8138165958–165958–57–425 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. The financial support provided by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-European Regional Development Fund (FEDER, ERDF) and Regional Government of Castilla y León -Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León- (BU025P23) is gratefully acknowledged. This work was supported by the Regional Government of Castilla y León (Junta de Castilla y León) and by the Ministry of Science and Innovation MICIN and the European Union NextGenerationEU PRTR. This project has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union under Grant Agreement Nº 101215633 - LIFE NITRAZENS. J. L. Vallejo-García received the grant PRE2021–09812 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Author Saul Vallejos received grant BG22/00086 funded by Spanish Ministerio de Universidades.
2025-11-04T09:27:11Z
2025-11-04T09:27:11Z
2025-11
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
2352-1864
https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11026
10.1016/j.eti.2025.104595
eng
Environmental Technology & Innovation. 2025, V. 40, 104595
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2025.104595
Atribución 4.0 Internacional
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
application/pdf
Elsevier
https://riubu.ubu.es/bitstream/10259/11026/4/Vallejo-eti_2025.pdf.jpg
Hispana
TEXT
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
RIUBU. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos
https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11026