Sustainable Approaches of Nanocomposite based Pesticide Degradation using Photo-Catalytic and Enzymatic Mechanisms

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, widely used in agriculture for insect and pest control, contain phosphorus-oxygen ester bonds that contribute to their persistence in water and soil. These compounds are typically applied at recommended field doses of 0.5-2 kg/hectare, but their excessive usage possess serious human health and significant ecological risks. Traditional wastewater treatment methods may not completely remove these harmful chemicals. Thus, nanocomposites have attracted attention as water treatment methods due to their physico-chemical properties such as high surface area, tunable functionalities, and enhanced reactivity. Nanocomposites can ameliorate the degradation of pesticides by serving as a carrier for enzymes or microorganisms that show their expertise in breaking down the pesticide residue. Metal-oxide-based nanocomposites, such as those formed from zinc oxide or titanium oxide, generate the reactive oxygen species, catalysing the degradation of pesticides into biodegradable or non-toxic forms. The existing reviews have only focused on the synthesis/properties/applications of nanomaterials, whereas this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of nanocomposites, focused on photocatalytic mechanisms, efficacy of enzyme-based degradation, and other biodegradation mechanisms. The ability to show the catalytic activity in degrading pesticides in terms of reusability, activity, and stability has been evaluated in this review article. The review also evaluates different synthesis methods for the development of nanocomposites, such as the co-precipitation method, sol–gel method, hydrothermal methods, and electrospinning method. The capability of nanocomposites for photocatalytic and enzymatic degradation of pesticides in water, soil, and food articles is also discussed in the review article. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.