Recent prospects, challenges and advancements of photocatalysis as a wastewater treatment method

The climate crisis, unrestrained use of water resources, and rising population demands have amplified the urgency for sustainable and eco-friendly wastewater treatment solutions. Conventional methods often fail to degrade emerging and persistent pollutants produced by industries, driving the need for alternative technologies. In this context, photocatalysis has emerged as a promising and effective method, offering superior degradation of contaminants and cost-effective application, especially with its advancements in recent years. As an advanced oxidation process (AOP), photocatalysis is particularly well-suited to address the limitations of traditional treatments. This review paper explores the types of photocatalysts and their operational mechanisms, examines the key parameters affecting degradation efficiency, such as operating conditions and photoreactor design, and analyzes recent developments in wastewater effluents containing emerging contaminants over the past five years. Lastly, this review proposes the integration of photocatalysis with other treatment technologies and presents potential future directions for research.