Surface Microlenses for Much More Efficient Photodegradation in Water Treatment

The global need for clean water requires sustainable technology purifying contaminated water. Highly efficient solar-driven photodegradation is a strategy wastewater treatment. In this work, we demonstrate that the efficiency of micropollutants in can be improved by ?2–24 times leveraging polymeric microlenses (MLs). These (MLs) are fabricated from situ polymerization surface nanodroplets. We found (?) correlates approximately linearly with sum intensity all focal points MLs, although no difference pathway detected chemical analysis byproducts. With same overall power over given area, ? doubled using ordered ML arrays, compared to heterogeneous MLs on an unpatterned substrate. A higher arrays may attributed coupled effect plane creates high local concentrations active species further speed up rate photodegradation. As proof-of-concept MLs-enhanced treatment, were formed inner wall glass bottles used as containers treated. Three representative (norfloxacin, sulfadiazine, and sulfamethoxazole) functionalized photodegraded 30%–170% faster than normal bottles. Our findings suggest lead highly solar purification approach without large-sized collector. Such particularly suitable portable transparent remote regions.