Recent advances in oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical systems for sustainable wastewater treatment: mechanisms, applications, and perspectives

Taoran DONG; Howard Yau Ming CHEUNG; Hoi Kit Justin MAN; Zexiao ZHENG; Irene Man Chi LO

doi:10.1038/s44296-025-00084-6

Recent advances in oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical systems for sustainable wastewater treatment: mechanisms, applications, and perspectives

Taoran DONG
, Howard Yau Ming CHEUNG
, Hoi Kit Justin MAN
, Zexiao ZHENG^*
, Irene Man Chi LO^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review

Abstract

This review assesses oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for sustainable wastewater treatment. The development and modification of semiconductors for photoelectrode fabrication are discussed, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms, treatment performance, and practical applications of various oxidant-involved PEC systems, including PEC/chloride, PEC/hydrogen peroxide, PEC/persulfate, and PEC/sulfite. Key challenges, including photoelectrode fabrication, material stability and reusability, wastewater matrix interference, byproduct formation, and scalability, are critically examined, and perspectives for practical implementation are provided.

Original language	English
Article number	41
Number of pages	28
Journal	npj Materials Sustainability
Volume	3
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s44296-025-00084-6
Publication status	Published - 2 Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation

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10.1038/s44296-025-00084-6Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "Recent advances in oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical systems for sustainable wastewater treatment: mechanisms, applications, and perspectives",

abstract = "This review assesses oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for sustainable wastewater treatment. The development and modification of semiconductors for photoelectrode fabrication are discussed, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms, treatment performance, and practical applications of various oxidant-involved PEC systems, including PEC/chloride, PEC/hydrogen peroxide, PEC/persulfate, and PEC/sulfite. Key challenges, including photoelectrode fabrication, material stability and reusability, wastewater matrix interference, byproduct formation, and scalability, are critically examined, and perspectives for practical implementation are provided.",

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T1 - Recent advances in oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical systems for sustainable wastewater treatment: mechanisms, applications, and perspectives

AU - DONG, Taoran

AU - CHEUNG, Howard Yau Ming

AU - MAN, Hoi Kit Justin

AU - ZHENG, Zexiao

AU - LO, Irene Man Chi

PY - 2025/12/2

Y1 - 2025/12/2

N2 - This review assesses oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for sustainable wastewater treatment. The development and modification of semiconductors for photoelectrode fabrication are discussed, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms, treatment performance, and practical applications of various oxidant-involved PEC systems, including PEC/chloride, PEC/hydrogen peroxide, PEC/persulfate, and PEC/sulfite. Key challenges, including photoelectrode fabrication, material stability and reusability, wastewater matrix interference, byproduct formation, and scalability, are critically examined, and perspectives for practical implementation are provided.

AB - This review assesses oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for sustainable wastewater treatment. The development and modification of semiconductors for photoelectrode fabrication are discussed, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms, treatment performance, and practical applications of various oxidant-involved PEC systems, including PEC/chloride, PEC/hydrogen peroxide, PEC/persulfate, and PEC/sulfite. Key challenges, including photoelectrode fabrication, material stability and reusability, wastewater matrix interference, byproduct formation, and scalability, are critically examined, and perspectives for practical implementation are provided.

U2 - 10.1038/s44296-025-00084-6

DO - 10.1038/s44296-025-00084-6

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JF - npj Materials Sustainability

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ER -

Recent advances in oxidant-involved photoelectrochemical systems for sustainable wastewater treatment: mechanisms, applications, and perspectives

Abstract

UN SDGs

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