Abstract

As a type of emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) are widely detected in aquatic environments and attract increasing ecological concern worldwide. The mitigation strategy of MPs pollution in aquatic environments has thus become a research priority. Photocatalysis has recently received wide attention largely due to its high potential for MPs degradation. However, to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of photocatalysis in MPs mitigation, we reviewed the up-to-date advancements regarding the key parameters for evaluating the photodegradation, promising photocatalysts, and key mechanisms; possible synergistic reactions were also illustrated. Especially, the modification of photocatalyst was analyzed and interpreted for improving the performance including doping metal, decorating functional group, etc. The relationship between the reactive oxygen species generation and the material structure was elucidated. Moreover, the ecological risks induced by photocatalysis were discussed. To take it a step further of today's photocatalysis in MPs degradation, future research should focus on (1) designing realistic photocatalytic materials to improve the efficiency of MPs degradation; (2) detailing the degradation mechanisms and synergistic reactions to better utilize the advantages of photocatalysis; and (3) quantitatively evaluating the ecological risks posed by the degradation intermediates and further developing recycling approaches.

摘要

作为一种新兴污染物，微塑料 (MPs) 在水生环境中被广泛检测到，并在全球范围内引起越来越多的生态关注。因此，水环境中MPs污染的缓解策略成为研究重点。光催化最近受到广泛关注，主要是由于其对 MPs 降解的高潜力。然而，为了深入和全面地了解光催化在 MPs 缓解中的作用，我们回顾了有关评估光降解的关键参数、有前途的光催化剂和关键机制的最新进展；还说明了可能的协同反应。特别是，分析和解释了光催化剂的改性以提高性能，包括掺杂金属、修饰官能团等。阐明了活性氧的产生与材料结构之间的关系。此外，讨论了光催化引起的生态风险。为了使当今光催化降解 MPs 更进一步，未来的研究应集中在（1）设计逼真的光催化材料以提高 MPs 降解效率；(2) 详细说明降解机制和协同反应，以更好地利用光催化的优势；(3) 定量评估降解中间体带来的生态风险，并进一步开发回收方法。s 降解 MPs 的光催化，未来的研究应集中在（1）设计现实的光催化材料以提高 MPs 降解的效率；(2) 详细说明降解机制和协同反应，以更好地利用光催化的优势；(3) 定量评估降解中间体带来的生态风险，并进一步开发回收方法。s 降解 MPs 的光催化，未来的研究应集中在（1）设计现实的光催化材料以提高 MPs 降解的效率；(2) 详细说明降解机制和协同反应，以更好地利用光催化的优势；(3) 定量评估降解中间体带来的生态风险，并进一步开发回收方法。