Pivotal role of starch in restoring the photocatalytic performance of chitosan films for eliminating water pollutants.

The photocatalytic performance of chitosan-derived catalytic films deteriorates due to surface area loss during catalyst immobilization. It limits the practical efficacy of these films, despite being a greener and more reusable alternative to powdered catalysts. Herein, we have restored and enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of chitosan films from 67% to 95% by starch impregnation. The combinatorial impact of the enhanced adsorption due to the unique surface structure of the starch-chitosan surface and cooperative charge separation efficiency of the photocatalyst balance the effect of surface area loss and photocatalytic performance is restored.