Abstract Photocatalytic water treatment offers a sustainable method for removing organic micropollutants but is often limited by low efficiency and complexity. We report a plasmonic-photocatalytic heterostructure combining aluminum (Al) nanoparticles with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) for contaminant degradation under solar light without external oxidants or pH adjustment. Using an organic colloidal Al nanoparticle suspension, this approach enhances TiO 2 photocatalysis through improved light absorption, plasmon resonance, and contaminant adsorption. The low-cost Al/TiO 2 heterostructure provides light-harvesting benefits comparable to other noble metal heterostructures (Au/TiO 2 and Ag/TiO 2 ), offering a sustainable alternative. Synthesized via an organic solvent method and ligand modification, the heterostructures were characterized for charge, size, bandgap, and photocatalytic efficiency. A cysteine-modified Al/TiO 2 showed the best performance, degrading the dye amaranth 60% faster than P25 TiO 2 and remaining stable over repeated cycles, underscoring its potential for integration into small-scale, solar-driven water treatment systems.

Abstract Water sustainability in developing countries is challenged by pollution and inadequate infrastructure, necessitating decontamination strategies for resource-limited settings. Plasma technology has emerged as a decentralised approach, enabling generation of reactive species to degrade heterogeneous contaminants without chemical additives. Reactor modularity supports compatibility with renewable power. Translation remains limited by mechanistic uncertainty, inefficient species utilisation, by-product formation, and scaling and maintenance constraints. This Perspective outlines pathways to advance plasma-enabled water decontamination.