Traditional disinfection methods like chlorination, ozonation, and UV radiation can be effective, but they often come with drawbacks such as the formation of harmful by-products, high energy requirements, and limited efficacy against certain resistant pathogens. Catalysts can address these issues by providing a more targeted, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach to disinfection. For example, photocatalysts can harness light energy to generate reactive species that destroy pathogens without harmful residues.