A team of researchers at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has developed a catalyst that uses light to remove antibiotic residues from water while simultaneously producing hydrogen, a fuel that can serve as an alternative to fossil fuels. In laboratory trials, the technology succeeded in eliminating more than 98% of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in just 90 minutes.

The project, titled "From Polluted Water to Clean Energy", seeks to address two environmental challenges: the contamination of water sources by pharmaceutical residues and the need to develop more sustainable energy sources.

According to the university, tests conducted using visible-light LED lamps removed more than 98% of the ciprofloxacin present in the water, with researchers identifying that 88% of the compound was transformed into products considered harmless.

The new catalyst also demonstrated a hydrogen production rate five times higher than that achieved by each of its constituent materials when used in isolation.

To develop the technology, the scientists combined manganese dioxide with zinc-indium sulphide, applying a phosphate treatment to the surface of the former material.

This modification allowed for more efficient use of light energy, increasing the efficiency of the chemical reactions responsible for breaking down antibiotic residues and for generating hydrogen.

The research aims to contribute to reducing the presence of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater — an environmental concern associated, among other risks, with the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Although the results are promising, the trials were conducted under laboratory conditions using artificial lighting. The team believes the technology could, in the future, be adapted to use sunlight, though further studies will be required to assess its application in larger-scale water treatment systems.

The project was developed by researchers Mohammednoor Altarawneh and Ranjit Bariki of UAEU, in collaboration with Labeeb Ali of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic and Mohammed Alkaabi, a doctoral student at the university.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=556764