Engineered Nanomaterial-Based Photocatalysts for Efficient and Sustainable Degradation of Antibiotics in Water: A Review

The widespread use of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture, and animal husbandry has led to their persistent presence in aquatic environments, posing significant ecological and public health risks. Photocatalytic degradation has emerged as a promising advanced oxidation process for the efficient breakdown of antibiotics in water. Owing to their high surface area, directional charge transport, and enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials exhibit superior photocatalytic performance. Unlike previous reviews, this study integrates synthesis strategies, material characterization, degradation mechanisms, and evaluations of stability and reusability, while systematically addressing reproducibility, scalability, and long-term operational stability, key challenges that determine the reliability and practical deployment of photocatalytic systems. Particular attention is given to synthesis consistency, performance variation across repeated cycles, and resistance to photocorrosion and material degradation under realistic operating conditions. These considerations provide mechanistic insights and help identify future research directions. The discussion highlights the environmental impact of antibiotic contamination, the principles of photocatalytic degradation, and recent advances in nanostructured photocatalytic materials for sustainable wastewater treatment. By emphasizing the unique properties, reproducibility, and durability of 1D nanomaterials, this review presents a distinct and focused perspective on addressing persistent antibiotic pollutants in water.