Photocatalytic nanostructured materials for heavy metal remediation: Mechanisms, challenges, and future prospects
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61389021%3A_____%2F26%3A00648112" target="_blank" >RIV/61389021:_____/26:00648112 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136980012501008X" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136980012501008X</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2025.110269" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.mssp.2025.110269</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Photocatalytic nanostructured materials for heavy metal remediation: Mechanisms, challenges, and future prospects
Original language description
Heavy metal and metalloid contamination of aquatic environments poses significant ecological and health risks. Photocatalysis using nanostructured semiconductors offers a promising remediation approach by harnessing solar energy for simultaneous contaminant degradation and metal ion reduction. This review critically examines photocatalytic nanomaterials for heavy metal and metalloid remediation from wastewater, emphasizing mechanisms, performance metrics, and emerging challenges. Photocatalytic processes generate reactive species (center dot OH, center dot O-2(-) , photoelectrons) that reduce toxic metal ions (Cr(VI)-> Cr(III), Hg2+-> Hg-0) while degrading organic cocontaminants. Materials examined include metal oxide semiconductors (TiO2, ZnO, BiVO4), carbon nitride (gC(3)N(4)), and hybrid nanocomposites. This review provides: (1) comprehensive mechanistic analysis across material classes, (2) quantitative comparison of removal efficiencies and operational parameters, (3) critical evaluation of modification strategies (doping, heterojunction formation, plasmonic enhancement) for visible light activity, (4) assessment of nanomaterial integration with conventional treatment methods, (5) analysis of emerging materials (MXenes, MOF-derived carbons), and (6) discussion of scale-up challenges including photocatalyst stability, recovery, and environmental safety. While laboratory studies demonstrate high removal efficiencies (>90 % for many systems), challenges persist regarding cost-effectiveness, long-term stability, and real wastewater complexity. Future directions emphasize solar-driven systems, single-atom catalysts, and multifunctional photocatalysts for simultaneous multi-contaminant treatment. The adaptability and scalability of these nanomaterials enable integration into sustainable wastewater treatment systems and decentralized remediation units, with potential for resource recovery. Their solar-driven operation offers energy-efficient, ecofriendly solutions for industrial and municipal applications.
Czech name
—
Czech description
—
Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
—
OECD FORD branch
20704 - Energy and fuels
Result continuities
Project
—
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2026
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing
ISSN
1369-8001
e-ISSN
1873-4081
Volume of the periodical
204
Issue of the periodical within the volume
March
Country of publishing house
NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS
Number of pages
33
Pages from-to
110269
UT code for WoS article
001628115300001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105022437896