Mace, Laura, Chemistry Department, Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, lauramace127@icloud.com; Tom, Lou Ann, , Chemistry Department, Susquehanna University , 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, toml@susqu.edu.
The photocatalytic degradation of oxycodone hydrochloride is being evaluated to determine the time required to degrade the pharmaceutical to a non-detectable concentration, as monitored using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals in ultraviolet (UV) light is a promising alternative for proper disposal of unused prescriptions. Pure samples were dissolved in water at 100 ppm and were treated in a UV reactor containing eight 254 nm UV lights. An identical “control” sample was kept in the dark, and both samples were stirred continuously. Samples were removed at time intervals and analyzed by HPLC calibrated using external standards from 0.5 to 100 ppm. Results show that oxycodone exposed to UV radiation alone, required more than 55 hours of degradation to reach the limit of detection (0.5ppm). To increase the speed of degradation, titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalysts were introduced separately into samples. Degradation time decreased to 10 hours and 2 hours, respectively with the addition of these catalysts. Control samples did not degrade at all in the same time period indicating that the UV light was responsible for the degradation of the drug. Further research continues to determine the effect of combining catalysts in the sample, and to determine the toxicity and identity of degradants after treatment.
oxycodone, pharmaceuticals