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. In laboratory trials, the technology eliminated more than 98% of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in just 90 minutes.
The project, titled “From Polluted Water to Clean Energy”, aims to address two environmental challenges: the contamination of water sources by pharmaceutical residues and the need to develop energy sources as alternatives to fossil fuels.
According to the researchers, tests conducted using LED lamps removed more than 98% of ciprofloxacin, with 88% of the compound converted into products considered harmless. Hydrogen production was five times higher than that achieved using each of the component materials in isolation.
To develop the catalyst, the team combined manganese dioxide with zinc-indium sulphide, applying a phosphate treatment to improve the absorption of light energy.
The process uses light to trigger chemical reactions that break down antibiotic residues and enable hydrogen production — a fuel that can be used without direct carbon dioxide emissions.
The research aims to contribute to reducing the presence of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater, an environmental problem that can promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Although the results are promising, the technology has so far been tested only under laboratory conditions using artificial lighting. The researchers believe it could eventually operate using sunlight, but further studies will be required to assess its application in larger-scale water treatment systems.
The project was developed by 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=556664
