Recyclable Biomimetic Sunflower Pollen‐based Photocatalyst for Enhanced Degradation of Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

AbstractRecent trends in addressing the impending water crisis focus on the development of innovative water treatment methods. This work utilizes pollen as a core template to synthesize highly efficient onion‐like photocatalysts for pollutant mineralization. The study showcases a novel electrochemical synthesis method that maintains the structural integrity of pollen, resulting in increased surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity. After 90‐min of visible light irradiation, over 99% mineralization is achieved. These hybrid photocatalysts demonstrate exceptional stability and efficacy in degrading pollutants. The used photocatalysts can be recycled into biopellets with an ash 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, the resulting ashes serve as effective peroxymonosulphate activators for pollutant mineralization. This process offers sustainable waste management while minimizing waste production, providing a practical solution for water purification. The efficacy of this approach in pollutant removal is underscored by mineralization rates exceeding 99%.