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<p>The persistent presence of amoxicillin (AMX), a β-lactam antibiotic, in aquatic environments poses risks to ecosystems and public health due to its role in antimicrobial resistance and toxicity. Conventional wastewater treatments are largely ineffective, prompting the use of advanced methods like photocatalysis and adsorption. Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanocomposites show great potential due to their high surface area, strong UV absorption, and dual capability for AMX degradation and adsorption. This review examines recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of ZnO nanocomposites for AMX removal. Techniques such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, chemical precipitation, microwave-assisted, and combustion are discussed, with sol-gel and hydrothermal offering better control over morphology and performance. ZnO composites have achieved up to 100% degradation under UV/simulated sunlight and adsorption capacities up to 163&#xa0;mg/g (e.g., ZnO-coated pistachio shell bioadsorbents). Composites like ZnO/Bi₂WO₆ and ZnO/MIL-53(Al) achieved 93.1% and 100% removal under optimal conditions due to enhanced charge separation and visible light activity. Doping (e.g., Fe, Ni, Ce³⁺), carbon coupling, and heterojunction formation further boost performance. Many ZnO-based composites retain over 75% efficiency after four or more reuse cycles. The novelty of this review lies in its dual-focus analysis of both the photocatalytic degradation and adsorption of amoxicillin using ZnO-based nanocomposites. In addition, this work emphasizes recent progress on amoxicillin-specific remediation, a contaminant of urgent concern, and introduces a novel comparative framework to assess synthesis methods based on efficiency, environmental impact, and scalability. Challenges like photocorrosion, limited visible-light absorption, nanoparticle aggregation, and ecotoxicity are critically discussed, with future directions pointing to green synthesis, visible-light activation, and scale-up for real-world applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>This graphical abstract illustrates the dual function of ZnO-based nanocomposites in the removal of AMX from wastewater through adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. The process begins with the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanocomposites (NCs). These nanocomposites facilitate the adsorption of AMX molecules onto their surface, effectively removing the antibiotic from contaminated water. Under sunlight exposure, ZnO acts as a photocatalyst, generating ROS such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide anions (•O₂⁻), which degrade AMX into harmless byproducts like water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This combined approach highlights ZnO nanocomposites as promising materials for efficient wastewater treatment, addressing concerns related to pharmaceutical pollution.</p> <p></p>

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Recent Advances in ZnO-Based Nanocomposites for Amoxicillin Photocatalytic Degradation and Adsorption in Wastewater: A Review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月12日

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  • R. R. Roushree,
  • Rijah Haimbodi

摘要

The persistent presence of amoxicillin (AMX), a β-lactam antibiotic, in aquatic environments poses risks to ecosystems and public health due to its role in antimicrobial resistance and toxicity. Conventional wastewater treatments are largely ineffective, prompting the use of advanced methods like photocatalysis and adsorption. Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanocomposites show great potential due to their high surface area, strong UV absorption, and dual capability for AMX degradation and adsorption. This review examines recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of ZnO nanocomposites for AMX removal. Techniques such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, chemical precipitation, microwave-assisted, and combustion are discussed, with sol-gel and hydrothermal offering better control over morphology and performance. ZnO composites have achieved up to 100% degradation under UV/simulated sunlight and adsorption capacities up to 163 mg/g (e.g., ZnO-coated pistachio shell bioadsorbents). Composites like ZnO/Bi₂WO₆ and ZnO/MIL-53(Al) achieved 93.1% and 100% removal under optimal conditions due to enhanced charge separation and visible light activity. Doping (e.g., Fe, Ni, Ce³⁺), carbon coupling, and heterojunction formation further boost performance. Many ZnO-based composites retain over 75% efficiency after four or more reuse cycles. The novelty of this review lies in its dual-focus analysis of both the photocatalytic degradation and adsorption of amoxicillin using ZnO-based nanocomposites. In addition, this work emphasizes recent progress on amoxicillin-specific remediation, a contaminant of urgent concern, and introduces a novel comparative framework to assess synthesis methods based on efficiency, environmental impact, and scalability. Challenges like photocorrosion, limited visible-light absorption, nanoparticle aggregation, and ecotoxicity are critically discussed, with future directions pointing to green synthesis, visible-light activation, and scale-up for real-world applications.

Graphical Abstract

This graphical abstract illustrates the dual function of ZnO-based nanocomposites in the removal of AMX from wastewater through adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. The process begins with the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanocomposites (NCs). These nanocomposites facilitate the adsorption of AMX molecules onto their surface, effectively removing the antibiotic from contaminated water. Under sunlight exposure, ZnO acts as a photocatalyst, generating ROS such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide anions (•O₂⁻), which degrade AMX into harmless byproducts like water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This combined approach highlights ZnO nanocomposites as promising materials for efficient wastewater treatment, addressing concerns related to pharmaceutical pollution.