Researchers Develop Efficient Photocatalyst to Degrade Antibiotics

Researchers led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) developed a new photocatalyst using CZTS-WS2 composites to efficiently break down sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a commonly found antibiotic pollutant. The catalyst, created through a hydrothermal reaction using non-toxic and earth-abundant materials, demonstrated over 80% efficiency in scavenging free radicals and antibacterial properties. This breakthrough helps mitigate the risks of antibiotic contamination, which contributes to antibiotic resistance, ecological imbalance, and human health concerns.