Surface engineering strategies for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction in wastewater purification

Yizhen Zhang; Shujun Meng; Penghui Li; Xumiao Hou; Jie Mao; Xiaoqiang Cao; Xiang Cai; Jun Zhang; Michael K.H. Leung

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2025.123144

Surface engineering strategies for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction in wastewater purification

Yizhen Zhang, Shujun Meng, Penghui Li, Xumiao Hou, Jie Mao^*, Xiaoqiang Cao, Xiang Cai, Jun Zhang, Michael K.H. Leung

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

Abstract

Nitrate contamination in water remains a critical environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Photocatalytic reduction has emerged as a promising approach due to its eco-friendly nature and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as incomplete nitrate conversion, competition with dissolved oxygen, and the substantial electron consumption required for selective nitrogen generation hinder its practical application. Recent advancements focus on advanced surface engineering of photocatalysts to enhance activity and selectivity. This review provides a systematic analysis of advanced strategies for enhancing photocatalytic nitrate reduction efficiency, focusing on nanostructured surface engineering approaches including morphology control, heterointerface construction, defect and doping engineering for highly selective nitrogen generation. The integration of photocatalysts with membrane separation and biohybrid systems is further discussed to enhance feasibility for practical water treatment, providing critical insights for rational material design and scalable remediation solutions. This review establishes a systematic framework for rational photocatalyst design by correlating structure-performance relationships with multi-technology integration mechanisms, while advancing scalable nitrate remediation strategies that bridge material innovation with environmental applications. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.

Original language	English
Article number	123144
Number of pages	17
Journal	Environmental Research
Volume	287
Online published	15 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.123144
Publication status	Published - 15 Dec 2025

Funding

The authors acknowledge the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project (Nos. 52300099, 52300249), Open Research Fund Program of Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for Yellow River Delta (No. 2023KFJJ04), and the Outstanding Young Talents Project of Shandong University of Science and Technology (No. SKR21-3-A-011).

Research Keywords

Hybrid catalytic systems
Mechanisms
N2 selectivity
Photocatalytic nitrate removal
Surface engineering

UN SDGs

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

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abstract = "Nitrate contamination in water remains a critical environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Photocatalytic reduction has emerged as a promising approach due to its eco-friendly nature and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as incomplete nitrate conversion, competition with dissolved oxygen, and the substantial electron consumption required for selective nitrogen generation hinder its practical application. Recent advancements focus on advanced surface engineering of photocatalysts to enhance activity and selectivity. This review provides a systematic analysis of advanced strategies for enhancing photocatalytic nitrate reduction efficiency, focusing on nanostructured surface engineering approaches including morphology control, heterointerface construction, defect and doping engineering for highly selective nitrogen generation. The integration of photocatalysts with membrane separation and biohybrid systems is further discussed to enhance feasibility for practical water treatment, providing critical insights for rational material design and scalable remediation solutions. This review establishes a systematic framework for rational photocatalyst design by correlating structure-performance relationships with multi-technology integration mechanisms, while advancing scalable nitrate remediation strategies that bridge material innovation with environmental applications. {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier Inc.",

keywords = "Hybrid catalytic systems, Mechanisms, N2 selectivity, Photocatalytic nitrate removal, Surface engineering",

author = "Yizhen Zhang and Shujun Meng and Penghui Li and Xumiao Hou and Jie Mao and Xiaoqiang Cao and Xiang Cai and Jun Zhang and Leung, {Michael K.H.}",

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T1 - Surface engineering strategies for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction in wastewater purification

AU - Zhang, Yizhen

AU - Meng, Shujun

AU - Li, Penghui

AU - Hou, Xumiao

AU - Mao, Jie

AU - Cao, Xiaoqiang

AU - Cai, Xiang

AU - Zhang, Jun

AU - Leung, Michael K.H.

PY - 2025/12/15

Y1 - 2025/12/15

N2 - Nitrate contamination in water remains a critical environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Photocatalytic reduction has emerged as a promising approach due to its eco-friendly nature and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as incomplete nitrate conversion, competition with dissolved oxygen, and the substantial electron consumption required for selective nitrogen generation hinder its practical application. Recent advancements focus on advanced surface engineering of photocatalysts to enhance activity and selectivity. This review provides a systematic analysis of advanced strategies for enhancing photocatalytic nitrate reduction efficiency, focusing on nanostructured surface engineering approaches including morphology control, heterointerface construction, defect and doping engineering for highly selective nitrogen generation. The integration of photocatalysts with membrane separation and biohybrid systems is further discussed to enhance feasibility for practical water treatment, providing critical insights for rational material design and scalable remediation solutions. This review establishes a systematic framework for rational photocatalyst design by correlating structure-performance relationships with multi-technology integration mechanisms, while advancing scalable nitrate remediation strategies that bridge material innovation with environmental applications. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.

AB - Nitrate contamination in water remains a critical environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Photocatalytic reduction has emerged as a promising approach due to its eco-friendly nature and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as incomplete nitrate conversion, competition with dissolved oxygen, and the substantial electron consumption required for selective nitrogen generation hinder its practical application. Recent advancements focus on advanced surface engineering of photocatalysts to enhance activity and selectivity. This review provides a systematic analysis of advanced strategies for enhancing photocatalytic nitrate reduction efficiency, focusing on nanostructured surface engineering approaches including morphology control, heterointerface construction, defect and doping engineering for highly selective nitrogen generation. The integration of photocatalysts with membrane separation and biohybrid systems is further discussed to enhance feasibility for practical water treatment, providing critical insights for rational material design and scalable remediation solutions. This review establishes a systematic framework for rational photocatalyst design by correlating structure-performance relationships with multi-technology integration mechanisms, while advancing scalable nitrate remediation strategies that bridge material innovation with environmental applications. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.

KW - Hybrid catalytic systems

KW - Mechanisms

KW - N2 selectivity

KW - Photocatalytic nitrate removal

KW - Surface engineering

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DO - 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123144

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SN - 0013-9351

VL - 287

JO - Environmental Research

JF - Environmental Research

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ER -

Surface engineering strategies for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction in wastewater purification

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

UN SDGs

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