Application of polysaccharide-based biopolymers as supports in photocatalytic treatment of water and wastewater: a review

Rising health issues of Worldwide pollution by fossil fuel products are Fostering the development of safer materials such as biopolymers in many sectors such as food, pharmaceutical, medical and environmental industries. Indeed, biopolymers are often safe, biodegradable, cheap and easy to modify. Here we review photocatalysts based on polysaccharides for wastewater treatment. Polysaccharides include starch, cellulose, carrageenan, alginate, chitin, chitosan and gum. The main reasons for using biodegradable biopolymers are their ability to adsorb pollutants and to be modified with nanoparticles and semiconductors.

Automated summary

The rising health issues caused by the global pollution from fossil fuel products have driven the development of safer materials such as biopolymers in various industries like food, pharmaceutical, medical, and environmental sectors. Biopolymers are often safe, biodegradable, cheap, and easy to modify. This review focuses on the use of polysaccharide-based photocatalysts for wastewater treatment. Polysaccharides, including starch, cellulose, carrageenan, alginate, chitin, chitosan, and gum, have the ability to adsorb pollutants and can be easily modified with nanoparticles and semiconductors.