Author: Shi Hui et al. Source; Communication Chemistry

How to remove antibiotics and other new pollutants efficiently and cost-effectively from water is a major challenge in current environmental governance. On February 27, the restoration ecology team at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology made significant progress in the field of low-carbon, efficient treatment of new pollution, successfully constructing a dual-Z-Scheme biochar-based nanocomposite photocatalyst, providing a new technical solution to address the problem of antibiotic pollution in water bodies. The related research results were published in Nature Communication Chemistry.

Residual antibiotics, as a new pollutant, not only disrupt ecological balance but may also induce the emergence of superbugs, posing potential health risks to humans. Photocatalytic technology, due to its green nature, energy efficiency, and no secondary pollution, is regarded as a powerful tool for controlling new pollutants. However, although this technology has potential, it is limited by issues such as high photoactive carrier recombination rate, insufficient utilization of visible light, and poor material stability, making it difficult to meet practical wastewater treatment needs.

To address these challenges, the team took a different approach by using common agricultural and forestry waste to prepare porous biochar with high specific surface area. Using ultrasonic-ball milling, hydrothermal synthesis, and chemical co-precipitation green synthesis strategies, they pioneered the construction of a biochar-based graphite-phase carbon nitride/bismuth tungstate/silver phosphate composite photocatalyst (CN/Bi/Ag@ACB) with double Z-Scheme heterojunction.

This unique structural design cleverly utilizes biochar as both the electronic medium and carrier, and through the dual Z-Scheme carrier transport channels, not only significantly expands the visible light response range but also fundamentally improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Wang Tongtong, the first author and corresponding author of the paper and a young teacher at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, introduced this article.

Experimental data show that under visible light irradiation, this new catalyst has significant degradation efficiency for high-concentration (50 mg/L) tetracycline, achieving almost complete removal within 120 minutes, with a degradation rate 8.56 to 13.50 times that of pure semiconductor materials. When treating actual wastewater, this catalyst also demonstrated excellent synergistic removal and anti-interference capabilities against multiple antibiotics such as norfloxacin and chloramphenicol. It is worth mentioning that this catalyst also has a continuous sterilization function. Within 48 hours, it achieves a sterilization rate of up to 99% against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the water, achieving both decontamination and sterilization. This novel photocatalyst efficiently removes new pollutants through a synergistic mechanism. Photo provided by Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology

This research not only successfully developed a new low-cost, efficient, and stable photocatalyst but, more importantly, revealed the dual role of biochar as a ‘carrier-functional component’ in composite systems, elucidating the synergistic enhancement mechanism of its surface properties on catalytic performance. This discovery provides an important theoretical basis for designing highly efficient and stable double Z-type photocatalysts, and lays a scientific foundation for promoting the application of photocatalytic technology in deep water treatment and environmental remediation, said Professor Shi Hui, corresponding author of the paper and professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. (Source: China Science Daily, Li Yuan, Xiao Wenwen)

Reference Paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-026-01923-w

Editor: Ayesha Noor

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College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Henan University China

Introduction

Photocatalysis is central to sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and green chemistry. Despite decades of work, many aspects of photocatalysis remain debated or poorly understood. In his critical review “Photocatalysis A to Z”, Prof. Bunsho Ohtani systematically analyzed fundamental concepts — from activity and band structure to Z-scheme photocatalysis — clarifying what is established knowledge and what remains unresolved. Here we present a concise but detailed overview tailored for graduate students and early-career researchers.

Key Concepts and Insights

1. Photocatalytic Activity

The commonly used term photocatalytic activity generally refers to the reaction rate under illumination. However, unlike thermal catalysis where active sites dictate activity, photocatalysis depends on light absorption, electron-hole generation, and recombination kinetics. The intrinsic activity constant remains elusive due to difficulties in measuring recombination rate directly.

Known: Relative activity under controlled conditions.
Unknown: Intrinsic activity constant and absolute kinetic models.

2. Band Structure

Semiconductors absorb photons to promote electrons from the valence band (VB) to the conduction band (CB), creating electron-hole pairs. However, the spatial dynamics of these carriers — whether they immediately localize in traps or remain delocalized — are not fully understood. Misconceptions persist that electrons “migrate” spatially across bands, rather than being excited states of the lattice.

Known: CB and VB positions, band gaps.
Unknown: True nature of initial photoexcited states and carrier migration mechanisms.

3. Crystallinity and Defects

Crystallinity influences photocatalytic efficiency, yet quantification remains difficult. XRD identifies crystalline phases but ignores amorphous content. Sharp XRD peaks are often misinterpreted as higher crystallinity when they may simply reflect particle size.

Known: Relative crystal growth and phase composition.
Unknown: Precise quantification of amorphous content and defect distribution.

4. Doping and Visible-Light Activation

Non-metal (e.g., N, S) or metal doping extends absorption into visible light. Yet, “doping” is often mischaracterized; true lattice incorporation is rarely confirmed, and many systems merely involve surface modification or sensitizer deposition. Verification requires correlation of absorption spectra with action spectra.

Known: Doped/modified catalysts can exhibit visible-light activity.
Unknown: Precise location, distribution, and mechanism of dopant-induced states.

5. Energy Conversion and Thermodynamics

Water splitting remains the benchmark reaction. Efficiency depends not only on quantum yield but also on Gibbs free energy considerations. Even if short-wavelength photons are absorbed, excess energy above the CB edge is lost as heat. Thus, extending absorption to longer wavelengths is crucial, but improving conversion efficiency in shorter-wavelength regimes is equally important.

Known: Requirements for band edge alignment with redox potentials.
Unknown: Optimal calculation methods for biased systems and practical routes to reduce energy losses.

6. Reaction Kinetics

Many photocatalytic reactions exhibit apparent first-order kinetics or fit Langmuir–Hinshelwood models. However, these are formal correlations and do not necessarily reveal the underlying mechanism. Kinetic constants derived from light-intensity-limited conditions often obscure adsorption–reaction interplay.

Known: Methods for kinetic fitting.
Unknown: True mechanistic steps and universal rate-determining factors.

7. Carrier Recombination

Electron–hole recombination drastically reduces efficiency, but direct quantification remains challenging as recombination does not yield measurable species. Advanced ultrafast spectroscopy has provided indirect insights, yet bridging these dynamics to practical reaction rates is unresolved.

8. Identification of Products

Product identification is often overlooked. Chromatography alone may mislead; rigorous confirmation (e.g., NMR, MS) is essential, especially for complex organic transformations.

Known: Analytical methods exist.
Unknown: Achieving “sufficient condition” proof in strict chemical sense.

9. Z-Scheme Photocatalysis

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, Z-schemes couple two photocatalysts to achieve overall water splitting. Despite progress, the stability of interfacial electron transfer and efficiency bottlenecks remain significant challenges.

Conclusion

Photocatalysis sits at the frontier of energy and environmental science. What we know is foundational: band structures, empirical activities, and thermodynamic requirements. What we do not know — carrier localization, recombination dynamics, defect roles, and reliable product identification — remains a barrier to rational design. For graduate researchers, the challenge is not only to optimize materials but to critically evaluate assumptions, ensuring progress moves from empirical discovery toward predictive science.

Reference: Ohtani, B., 2010. Photocatalysis A to Z—What we know and what we do not know in a scientific sense. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, 11(4), pp.157-178.

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An Overview on Photocatalysis. Photocatalysis is a chemical process that involves the use of a photocatalyst, typically a semiconductor material, to accelerate a chemical reaction when exposed to light, often in the form of ultraviolet or visible light.

Author

Izaz Ul Islam

Key Aspects of Photocatalysis

.Let’s break down the key aspects of photocatalysis.

Photocatalyst: A photocatalyst is a substance that initiates and promotes a chemical reaction when exposed to light. Most commonly, semiconductors like titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are used as photocatalysts. They have a unique property that allows them to generate electron-hole pairs when illuminated.

Light Source: Photocatalysis relies on an external light source, typically ultraviolet (UV) or visible light, to excite the electrons in the photocatalyst. The choice of light source depends on the specific application and the energy required for the reaction.

Generation of Electron-Hole Pairs: When the photocatalyst absorbs photons from the light source, electrons are elevated to higher energy levels, leaving behind positively charged “holes” in the material. These electron-hole pairs are critical to the photocatalytic process.

Redox Reactions: Photocatalysis is primarily used for redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions. The excited electrons and holes participate in these reactions. Electrons reduce certain reactants, while holes oxidize others. For example, organic pollutants can be oxidized into harmless byproducts.

Applications

Photocatalysis has a wide range of applications, including air and water purification, self-cleaning surfaces, hydrogen production from water, and organic synthesis. It’s used to degrade or transform pollutants, and it has potential in renewable energy technologies.

Environmental Benefits

One of the key advantages of photocatalysis is its potential for environmentally friendly processes. It can break down pollutants and contaminants without the need for additional chemicals, and it’s considered a “green” technology.

Challenges

While photocatalysis offers many benefits, it also faces challenges, such as the need for efficient photocatalysts, cost-effectiveness, and the selectivity of reactions. Researchers are working on improving the efficiency and selectivity of photocatalytic reactions.

In summary, photocatalysis is a chemical process that harnesses the power of light to initiate and accelerate chemical reactions, often with a focus on environmental and sustainable applications. It relies on the properties of semiconductors to generate electron-hole pairs and drive redox reactions when exposed to light.

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