Ultrasound as an Advanced Oxidative Process: A Review on Treating Pharmaceutical Compounds

Ultrasound treatment, among the various existing water and effluent treatment techniques, is considered an emerging method in recent years due to the degradation of complex organic and inorganic contaminants. It offers substantial advantages, such as cleanliness, safety, and minor or non‐existent secondary pollution products, when compared to other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). A systematic review of the published peer‐reviewed literature relating the use of ultrasound as an AOP is provided based on theoretical concepts and factors that influence sonochemical reactions. The synergistic effects of ultrasound with other degradation technologies for the oxidation of medications are investigated and the importance of assessing toxicity and biodegradability for the treatment of water and effluents with emerging pollutants is evaluated. The mechanistic understanding of the sonochemical effects in drugs, classification of intermediates, and the development of new treatment technologies are still the subject of future research, however, the synergy of treatments and cavitation studies must be considered.