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Photo-Fenton treatment of emerging pollutants in municipal wastewater using nanocatalysts: A sustainable approach
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This study evaluated photo-Fenton oxidation using nanocatalysts as a sustainable treatment for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products, and microplastics in municipal wastewater. The nanocatalyst-driven process achieved higher removal efficiencies for emerging pollutants than conventional treatment, offering a promising upgrade for wastewater plants struggling with micropollutant removal.
Municipal wastewater is an intricate matrix containing pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products, endocrine disruptors, antibiotics, and microplastics, which persist owing to low biodegradability and resistance against conventional treatment processes such as sedimentation, biological oxidation, and coagulation. Advanced oxidation processes are promising alternatives, the photo-Fenton reaction being a green option as it can generate hydroxyl radicals under UV or solar irradiation. Recent progress in nanotechnology has improved the activity, stability, and recyclability of nanostructured catalysts in photo-Fenton systems by designing them with greater activity, stability, and recyclability. This review critically discusses nanostructured catalysts like doped and hybrid metal oxides, carbon-based composites, and magnetic nanoparticles, and their mechanisms, selectivity toward pollutants, and efficiency in municipal wastewater treatment. Specific focus is laid on solar-powered systems and multiconstituent nanocatalysts, reducing energy costs and making recovery accessible for reuse. Photo-Fenton nanocatalysis, being applied in wastewater treatment, is aligned with global sustainability objectives, namely SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Some of the challenges, however, are in the spotlight, like deactivation of the catalysts, secondary toxicity, cost considerations, and regulatory authorization. The future involves direction in the form of bio-inspired catalyst design, hybridization with membrane or bioprocess, and digital optimisation technology adoption for enhanced efficiency. By merging material innovation with sustainable engineering, nanocatalyst-enhanced photo-Fenton treatment is a paradigm shift for municipal wastewater treatment.
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Researchers tested how the presence of microplastics in wastewater affects the efficiency of Fenton oxidation — an advanced chemical treatment — in removing emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals. They found that microplastics could interfere with treatment efficiency depending on their type, size, and concentration, raising concerns for the effectiveness of advanced treatment processes in real wastewater containing both microplastics and chemical contaminants.
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This review examines nanotechnology-based approaches for removing emerging contaminants including pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, and microplastics from water, comparing the removal efficiencies of nanomaterial adsorbents, photocatalysts, and membrane systems against conventional treatment methods.
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A photo-Fenton oxidation process was tested for removing textile-derived microplastic fibers from water, achieving high removal rates under optimized conditions. The study offers a viable advanced treatment option for the challenging problem of fiber microplastics shed from laundry.
Eliminating micropollutants – the path to cleaner water
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This Czech study investigated photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants and sorption-based removal of microplastics from wastewater using natural sorbents as components of an advanced fourth-stage treatment process. The work explored the feasibility of incorporating these approaches into municipal wastewater treatment plants to meet increasingly stringent micropollutant removal requirements under EU regulations.
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