Advances in Photo(electro)catalysis for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Pollution Mitigation

Since the beginning of the 21st century, we have faced tremendous challenges related to the accessibility of clean drinking water and the safe disposal of wastewater without harming our water sources and the environment. In this context, wastewater treatment is essential for sustainable development and environmental protection as it improves water conservation, encourages water recycling, and enhances a balanced relationship between humans and nature. The detection of a growing amount of harmful xenobiotic compounds, even at low concentrations (typically µg/L or ng/L), in aquatic environments represents a significant concern due to the uncertain impact they may have on ecosystems or human health. Xenobiotics encompass pharmaceuticals, steroids, hormones, personal care products, antiseptics, surfactants, flame-retardants, industrial additives, gasoline additives, and their metabolites or degradation products. Although conventional wastewater treatment technologies are efficient at removing organic pollutants, they have some shortcomings, including high energy demand and low capability to destroy these compounds. Therefore, the creation of efficient technologies to address this form of pollution is currently a focus of ongoing research. Catalytic methods, particularly photo(electro)catalysis, have garnered more interest due to their potential to utilize eco-friendly reagents and solar energy. However, while chemical oxidation processes have been extensively studied, chemical reduction and its applications in this field require further research.

This research topic aims to gather the latest research, innovations, and advances in photo(electro)catalytic processes, including the methods employed to synthesize novel photo(electro)catalysts, the advanced techniques used to characterize these catalysts, the mechanisms involved in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, and the optimization of photo(electro)catalytic systems for wastewater treatment and energy production. Additionally, submissions that consider the integration of photocatalysis with other treatment processes, as well as the environmental and economic impacts of photo(electro)catalytic wastewater treatment, are welcome. We invite authors to submit original research and review manuscripts that will enhance our understanding of this emerging technology and its potential application in solutions that aim to mitigate the growing problem of wastewater pollution.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of photo(electro)catalysis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Synthesizing new photo(electro)catalysts
- Characterizing them using advanced techniques
- Understanding the mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants
- Optimizing photo(electro)catalytic systems for wastewater treatment and energy production
- Exploring the integration of photocatalysis with other treatment processes
- Examining the environmental and economic impacts of photo(electro)catalytic wastewater treatment