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Nanophotocatalytic synergistic degradation of antibiotics and microplastics: Mechanisms, material design, and environmental applications
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This review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact in water during photocatalytic treatment, finding that microplastics can both help (by shuttling electrons) and hinder (by shielding light or hosting biofilms) the degradation process, depending on conditions. Aged microplastics — which have more surface oxygen groups — adsorb more antibiotics, making them tougher composite targets for treatment systems. Understanding these interactions is essential for designing water purification systems that can handle the combined pollution reality of modern waterways.
This study explores the complex interactions between microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics in aquatic environments, focusing on their effects on photocatalytic degradation processes. MPs, due to their high surface area, can adsorb antibiotics, forming a composite pollutant-carrier system that influences pollutant persistence and degradation efficiency. The manuscript examines both the synergistic and antagonistic effects of these pollutants, particularly under visible light irradiation during photocatalytic reactions. It highlights how MPs can act as electron transport media, aiding charge separation in photocatalytic systems, while also potentially hindering degradation due to shielding effects or biofilm formation. The research emphasizes the impact of MPs aging, which introduces oxygen-containing functional groups, enhancing adsorption capacities for both antibiotics and heavy metals, thereby altering the dynamics of pollutant interaction. Additionally, the study discusses the role of surface functional groups in promoting pollutant adsorption and reducing carrier recombination. By analyzing various photocatalytic materials and degradation mechanisms, the research provides insights into the optimization of photocatalytic systems for efficient pollutant removal. The findings suggest that understanding the interactions between MPs and antibiotics is crucial for improving environmental remediation strategies, particularly in mixed-pollutant systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the environmental implications of MPs and antibiotics, providing a foundation for future research and the development of more effective photocatalytic materials. • Nanophotocatalysis enables concurrent removal of antibiotics and microplastics. • ROS-driven interfacial synergy accelerates MPs aging and antibiotic mineralization. • Defect/doping/heterojunction designs boost light harvesting and charge separation. • Magnetic and porous composites enhance adsorption, recyclability, and deep oxidation.
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Synergistic Effects of Antibiotics and Nanoplastics in Wastewater: A Growing Challenge in Aquatic Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Human Health Protection
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Tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) and antibiotic residues in wastewater don't just pollute water separately—when combined, they become more toxic and harmful together, and can also help bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. This matters because these contaminants can build up in fish and other food we eat, and our current wastewater treatment plants aren't well-equipped to filter them out. This paper reviews existing research on the problem and calls for better technology and policies to keep these combined pollutants out of our water supply.
Combined pollution of tetracyclines and microplastics in the aquatic environment: Insights into the occurrence, interaction mechanisms and effects
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This review examines how microplastics and tetracycline antibiotics interact in water environments, since microplastics can absorb and carry antibiotics on their surfaces. Factors like pH, heavy metals, and organic matter in water influence how tightly antibiotics bind to microplastics, and the combined pollution is more harmful to aquatic life than either pollutant alone. This is relevant to human health because these microplastic-antibiotic combinations can enter drinking water supplies and promote antibiotic resistance.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics Combined With Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment: Recent Developments and Prospects
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This review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact in water environments, finding that microplastics can absorb antibiotics onto their surfaces and carry them over long distances. When aquatic organisms encounter these antibiotic-laden microplastics, the combined toxicity can be worse than either pollutant alone. Microplastics also promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, which is a growing public health concern.
Interaction between antibiotics and microplastics: Recent advances and perspective
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This review examines how microplastics in water can absorb antibiotic pollutants onto their surface, especially as the plastics age and develop bacterial biofilms. This interaction is concerning for human health because microplastics carrying antibiotics could promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria in waterways, making infections harder to treat.
Photocatalytic and biological technologies for elimination of microplastics in water: Current status
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This review examines emerging photocatalytic and biological technologies for breaking down microplastics in water, since conventional treatment facilities can capture but not fully destroy these particles. Researchers found that while photocatalysis and microbial degradation show promise, their effectiveness varies widely and the underlying mechanisms are only partly understood. The study highlights the urgent need for more efficient solutions to eliminate rather than simply filter out microplastic pollution from water supplies.
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