Solid-State Synthesis of Green Mussels (Perna viridis)-Derived Hydroxyapatite and Perovskite Nanocomposite for the Photo-catalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (ACT) emerged as the second most prevalent pharmaceutical contaminant in Philippine waters and poses environmental risks due to overuse. This study investigates the efficacy of hydroxyapatite-calcium titanate (HAp-CaTiO3) nanocomposite derived from waste Perna viridis (green mussel) shells for the photocatalytic degradation of ACT. HAp and CaTiO3 were prepared via coprecipitation and solid-state methods, respectively, and combined into a nanocomposite. The photocatalysts were characterized using SEM-EDX, XRD, UV-Vis and FTIR. Characterization confirmed the formation of a heterojunction with nanostructures and functional groups retained. The nanocomposite achieved a 96.30% ACT degradation efficiency. This approach highlights the potential of waste-derived materials for sustainable environmental remediation.