Al Ain:A research team at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has developed an innovative photocatalyst that utilizes light to remove antibiotic residues from water while simultaneously producing hydrogen, a clean fuel.
According to Wam, the project titled 'From Polluted Water to Clean Energy' has demonstrated significant success in treating water pollution and advancing sustainable energy solutions. The research achieved over 98 percent removal of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin within 90 minutes under visible light from LED lamps. Additionally, 88 percent of the antibiotic was converted into harmless products, with the hydrogen production rate being five times greater than when using either constituent material of the catalyst independently.
The research addresses the environmental impacts of persistent antibiotic residues in wastewater and their role in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. By harnessing light, the project aims to break down these pollutants and produce hydrogen. The research team combined manganese dioxide and zinc indium sulfide, treating the manganese dioxide surface with phosphate to improve the catalyst's light response and efficiency.
The catalyst facilitates chemical reactions by generating electrical charges using light. While these charges typically recombine quickly, the phosphate treatment helps maintain their separation long enough to enhance pollutant breakdown and hydrogen production.
The research opens avenues for developing technologies utilizing sunlight to treat polluted water and generate renewable energy. Conducted under visible-light conditions, this work marks a step towards practical applications linking water resource protection with energy needs.
The research team includes Prof. Mohammednoor Altarawneh, Dr. Ranjit Bariki from UAEU's College of Engineering, Dr. Labeeb Ali from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and PhD student Mohammed Alkaabi, supervised by Prof. Altarawneh. This project underscores UAEU's dedication to addressing environmental challenges through scientific research that supports sustainability and aligns with societal needs.