Photodegradation of microplastics through nanomaterials: Insights into photocatalysts modification and detailed mechanisms

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202403.1239.v1
• Publication Date: 2024-03-25T07:58:31Z
• Authors: Yiting Xiao; YANG TIAN; Wenbo Xu; Jun Zhu
• Keywords: Photodegradation; Nanomaterials

Microplastics (MPs) are a critical environmental issue, with impacts ranging from ecosystem contamination to health risks through bioaccumulation. This review addresses the inefficacy of traditional water treatments in removing MPs and proposes photodegradation, particularly via nanomaterial-enhanced photocatalysts, as solution. Utilizing their unique properties like large surface area tunable bandgap, nanomaterials significantly improve degradation efficiency. Different strategies for photocatalysts modification photocatalytic performance thoroughly summarized, particular emphasis on element doping heterojunction construction. Furthermore, this summarizes possible fundamental mechanisms driving photodegradation microplastics facilitated by nanomaterials, focus processes free radical formation singlet oxygen oxidation. By clearly elucidating these mechanisms, aims provide valuable insights inspire further progress microplastic photodegradation.