Advancing Cu–Ni bimetallic catalysis through characterization and oxidation mechanistic discovery

Advancements in Cu-Ni bimetallic catalyst emerged as a promising comparative method due to their effective structural, optical and functional properties. To circumvent the research gap of a single catalyst, particularly controlled catalytic efficiency, attenuated stability, and susceptibility to deactivation, poses significant challenges for environmental remediation. The Cu-Ni bimetallic catalyst has opened new avenues for environmental remediation via advanced oxidation processes, due to metal-metal interactions that enhanced the catalytic activity. We aim to conduct a comprehensive review of recent research activities on Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts for diverse environmental applications. We begin with a detailed introduction to the architectural diversity of Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts, followed by a discussion of the bimetallic catalytic environmental issues, Cu-Ni catalysts, and environmental applications. We emphasise state-of-the-art characterization techniques for elucidating their structural and electronic properties. Moreover, we highlight their applications across various photo-related AOPs, including photocatalysis, photo-ozonation, and photoelectrochemical oxidation. Finally, key challenges such as stability, metal leaching, and large-scale applicability are discussed, along with future perspectives on the rational engineering of Cu-Ni bimetallic systems for sustainable and solar-driven environmental remediation.