South African Journal of Chemical Engineering (Apr 2024)
Advancement and prospects in photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) pharmaceutical waste
Abstract
The use of antibiotics in human and animal treatment has resulted in the widespread presence of these drugs in the aquatic environment, leading to a concerning emergence of pollution problems caused by rapid antimicrobial resistance. Among the antibiotics detected in water bodies worldwide, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) stands out as one of the most frequently found compounds. Due to its persistence and toxicity, conventional wastewater treatment methods struggle to effectively degrade SMX. However, there is hope in the application of photocatalytic technology as a viable solution for SMX degradation. This technology demonstrates several promising features such as high efficiency, sustainability, high energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. It operates based on photochemical redox reactions that are stimulated by the interaction of photoexcitation electrons and holes under light irradiation. In general, the utilization of photocatalytic technology demonstrates significant promise in addressing the degradation of SMX in water environments. Diverse semiconductor photocatalysts, such as TiO2, ZnO, and bismuth-based materials, have been developed. However, the original form of this photocatalyst has fallen short of achieving the anticipated effectiveness, necessitating additional efforts to create a photocatalyst with exceptional physicochemical properties that can enhance overall photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, specific operational parameters in the process must be reassessed in light of the unique characteristics of SMX. Recent research supports this perspective, and this review explores the potential advancement of photocatalysts through various modification methods and optimization of operational parameters tailored to SMX characteristics. The methodology employed in this literature review entails a thorough search, identification of pertinent studies, and extraction of key elements (photocatalyst, experimental and modification methods, and key findings), which, as commonly understood, form the fundamental basis for ongoing photocatalytic degradation approaches.
