Daily Current Affairs : 16-October-2024
Antibiotic contamination in the environment is a growing problem that threatens both ecological balance and public health. Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have developed a groundbreaking solution to this issue. They have created a new photocatalyst capable of breaking down sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a widely used antibiotic, into less harmful byproducts. This innovation marks an important step toward solving the environmental challenges posed by antibiotic pollution.
The Need for Effective Antibiotic Degradation
Antibiotic pollution, especially from broad-spectrum drugs like sulfamethoxazole, is rapidly becoming a significant environmental concern. Here’s why it is critical to address this issue:
- Antibiotic Resistance: The presence of antibiotics in the environment encourages the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a serious threat to human health.
- Ecological Harm: Antibiotics can disrupt natural ecosystems, harming plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Health Risks: Continuous exposure to low levels of antibiotics in water can lead to unintended human health effects, such as allergies or toxicity.
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to find efficient methods to degrade antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole into harmless substances.
The Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Nanoparticles
The scientists at IASST have developed a novel photocatalyst using copper zinc tin sulfide (Cu2ZnSnS4 – CZTS) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are combined with tungsten disulfide (WS2) to form a composite known as CZTS-WS2.
Key Features of the Photocatalyst:
- Earth-Abundant and Non-Toxic: The materials used in this photocatalyst are inexpensive, abundant in nature, and non-toxic.
- Hydrothermal Synthesis: The composite is created through a hydrothermal reaction involving zinc chloride, copper chloride, tin chloride, and tungsten disulfide.
- Efficient Degradation: Under light exposure, the CZTS-WS2 composite can effectively break down sulfamethoxazole into non-toxic byproducts.
Significance of the Discovery
This new photocatalyst has several important advantages, making it a promising solution to the problem of antibiotic pollution:
- Environmental Impact: By breaking down sulfamethoxazole, the photocatalyst helps reduce the harmful effects of antibiotics in the environment.
- High Efficiency: The CZTS-WS2 composite demonstrates over 80% radical scavenging efficiency, meaning it can effectively neutralize harmful radicals formed during the degradation process.
- Antibacterial Properties: The composite also has antibacterial capabilities, helping to further combat the spread of harmful bacteria.
- Reusability: One of the most significant features of this photocatalyst is its ability to be reused multiple times without losing its effectiveness, making it an economical and sustainable solution.
- Photostability: The composite exhibits excellent photostability, ensuring it remains effective even with prolonged exposure to light.
Important Points:
Antibiotic Pollution Concern: Growing levels of antibiotics like sulfamethoxazole in the environment contribute to antibiotic resistance, ecological damage, and health risks.
Solution Developed: Scientists from IASST, Guwahati, have developed a new photocatalyst that degrades sulfamethoxazole into less harmful byproducts.
Photocatalyst Composition:
- Uses copper zinc tin sulfide (Cu₂ZnSnS₄ – CZTS) nanoparticles.
- Combined with tungsten disulfide (WS₂) to form a composite (CZTS-WS₂).
- Made from inexpensive, abundant, and non-toxic materials.
Degradation Process: The CZTS-WS₂ composite breaks down sulfamethoxazole under light exposure.
Advantages of the Photocatalyst:
- High Efficiency: Over 80% radical scavenging efficiency and effective antibiotic degradation.
- Antibacterial Properties: Also has antibacterial capabilities, helping to reduce harmful bacteria.
- Reusability: Can be recovered and reused multiple times without loss of effectiveness.
- Photostability: The composite is stable under prolonged light exposure, making it suitable for long-term use.
Environmental Impact: The photocatalyst helps reduce antibiotic contamination in water and soil, addressing the growing environmental threat.
Economic Viability: The use of earth-abundant materials and reusability makes this photocatalyst a cost-effective solution.
Why In News
Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have developed a new photocatalyst that can effectively break down sulfamethoxazole into less harmful byproducts, marking a significant step toward solving this environmental issue and offering a potential solution to the growing problem of antibiotic contamination in water systems worldwide.
MCQs about Addressing Antibiotic Pollution with Innovative Photocatalysis
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What is the main environmental issue addressed by the new photocatalyst developed by IASST scientists?
A. Global warming
B. Antibiotic pollution
C. Air pollution
D. Plastic waste
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Which material is used to create the photocatalyst that degrades sulfamethoxazole?
A. Silver chloride
B. Copper zinc tin sulfide (Cu₂ZnSnS₄)
C. Titanium dioxide
D. Zinc oxide
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What is one of the key advantages of the CZTS-WS₂ photocatalyst?
A. It is expensive to produce
B. It can be reused multiple times without losing efficiency
C. It requires high temperatures to function
D. It only works in dark conditions
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What is the role of the photocatalyst in breaking down sulfamethoxazole?
A. It neutralizes harmful bacteria directly
B. It filters the antibiotics from the water
C. It uses light exposure to break down sulfamethoxazole into non-toxic byproducts
D. It dilutes the concentration of antibiotics in the environment
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