Solar-driven PHB synthesis from wastewater by engineered semiconductor–bacteria biohybrids

Industrial wastewater contaminated with sulfate, heavy metal ions, and complex organic compounds poses a significant threat to the environment [1]. Although chemical or physical methods, including chemical coagulation, advanced oxidation, and membrane separation, have been used to treat sulfate-rich metal-laden wastewater (SRMLW), such biological treatment presents economic and environmental challenges when degrading sulfate and removing metal ions from SRMLW [2]. SRB can utilize sulfate as the