Adsorption of Bisphenol A onto β-Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges and Innovative Supercritical Green Regeneration of the Sustainable Adsorbent

Bisphenol A is a widely recognized endocrine disruptor that persists in ecosystems, harms aquatic organisms, and contributes to ecological degradation, raising global environmental concerns. Numerous studies have explored beta-cyclodextrin-based adsorbents for Bisphenol A removal; however, their regeneration remains a major challenge, often relying on energy-intensive processes and excessive use of organic solvents. In this study, Bisphenol A was selected as a model pollutant, and its adsorption onto beta-cyclodextrin nanosponges was investigated. After adsorption, Bisphenol A was efficiently recovered from the saturated beta-cyclodextrin nanosponges using an innovative and sustainable supercritical CO2-based green process, which simultaneously regenerated the adsorbent. The adsorption process achieved an efficiency of 95.51 +/- 0.82% under optimized conditions (C-0 = 150 mg/L, m(beta-CDNS) = 0.15 g, T = 25 degrees C, and N = 200 rpm), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 47.75 +/- 0.28 mg/g. The regeneration process achieved over 99% efficiency at 60 degrees C and 300 bar, with 10% (v/v) ethanol as a co-solvent, nearly fully restoring the adsorbent's performance. Unlike conventional regeneration techniques, this green approach eliminates the need for environmentally harmful organic solvents while preserving the adsorbent's structural integrity, making it a highly efficient and sustainable alternative. This study is the first to demonstrate the effective application of supercritical CO2-based regeneration for beta-cyclodextrin nanosponges in Bisphenol A removal, providing a scalable and environmentally sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, characterization analyses confirmed that the adsorbent retained its chemical and morphological stability after adsorption and regeneration.