RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Multifunctional smart polymers and citizen science for a comprehensive approach to nitrate pollution: Curative and preventive strategies
A1 Vallejo García, Jorge Lucas
A1 Hernández Ruiz, Raquel
A1 Torija López, Alba
A1 Trigo López, Miriam
A1 Ibeas Cortes, Saturnino
A1 Gómez Cuadrado, Laura
A1 Martel Martín, Sonia
A1 Barros García, Rocío
A1 Vallejos Calzada, Saúl
K1 Nitrate removal
K1 Nitrate detection
K1 Ion exchange polymer
K1 Resin
K1 Smart polymers
K1 Water treatment
K1 Fluorescent sensor
K1 Toxicity assessment
K1 Life cycle analysis (LCA)
K1 Polímeros
K1 Polymers
AB 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 samplesfrom various localities were analyzed, revealing nitrate concentrations that in some cases doubledthe legal limit (up to 100 mg⋅L⁻¹). FNO₃, composed of 49.75 mol% NNZA monomer with highanion-exchange capacity, exhibited a maximum nitrate adsorption capacity (qmax) of164 ± 5 mg⋅g⁻¹ , which is 3.6 times greater than that of commercial resins. The polymerdemonstrated significant swelling in water (~2014 ± 152 %) and incorporated a sensing functionalityvia a fluorometric monomer, enabling visual detection when saturation occurs. Fluorescenceresponse studies yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.26 mg⋅L⁻¹ and a limit ofquantification (LOQ) of 12.92 mg⋅L⁻¹ , values that are below the regulatory thresholds establishedby European and Spanish legislation for nitrates in drinking water. The material was testedthrough multiple adsorption-regeneration cycles using domestic saline solutions, maintainingstable efficiency. Interference studies indicated that carbonates present in hard water partiallyreduce adsorption effectiveness. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) identified the structural materials andfunctional monomers as the main contributors to environmental impact, while reuse and polymerapplication offer environmental benefits due to nitrate recovery. Additionally, in vitro toxicologicalassays with HepG2 cells confirmed the absence of cytotoxicity, supporting the polymer’sviability for safe water treatment applications.
PB Elsevier
SN 2352-1864
YR 2025
FD 2025-11
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11026
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11026
LA eng
NO 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.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos
RD 19-abr-2026