Recyclable biomimetic Sunflower pollen-based photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Recent trends in addressing the impending water crisis focus on thedevelopment of innovative water treatment methods. This work utilizes pollenas a core template to synthesize highly efficient onion-like photocatalysts forpollutant mineralization. The study showcases a novel electrochemicalsynthesis method that maintains the structural integrity of pollen, resulting inincreased surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity. After 90-min ofvisible light irradiation, over 99% mineralization is achieved. These hybridphotocatalysts demonstrate exceptional stability and efficacy in degradingpollutants. The used photocatalysts can be recycled into biopellets with anash content of less than 7% (weight), moisture content of less than 8%(weight), and a calorific value of ≈22.1 ± 0.3 MJ kg−1. Additionally, theresulting ashes serve as effective peroxymonosulphate activators for pollutantmineralization. This process offers sustainable waste management whileminimizing waste production, providing a practical solution for waterpurification. The efficacy of this approach in pollutant removal is underscoredby mineralization rates exceeding 99%.