GREEN SYNTHESIS OF FUNCTIONALIZED NANOCATALYSTS FROM INDIGENOUS BIOMASS FOR EFFICIENT DEGRADATION OF EMERGING PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAMINANTS IN PAKISTAN’S WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments has emerged as a significant global environmental challenge, particularly in developing countries with limited wastewater treatment capacity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate green-synthesized functionalized nanocatalysts derived from indigenous biomass for the efficient degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater systems. A quantitative experimental design was employed, utilizing biomass sources such as rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, and citrus peels for nanocatalyst synthesis. Batch experiments were conducted to assess degradation efficiency under varying operational conditions. The results demonstrated that biomass-derived nanocatalysts achieved high degradation efficiencies, with citrus peel–based catalysts exhibiting the highest performance (up to 89.7%). Statistical analysis confirmed that biomass type, catalyst dosage, reaction time, and pH significantly influenced degradation efficiency (p < 0.05). Compared to conventional wastewater treatment methods, green nanocatalysts showed superior efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The study concludes that indigenous biomass-based nanocatalysts provide a viable and eco-friendly solution for mitigating pharmaceutical pollution in wastewater systems. These findings support the integration of green nanotechnology into sustainable wastewater management strategies, particularly in resource-constrained settings such as Pakistan.