Self-powered Electroassisted Photocatalysis for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The escalating problem of water pollution necessitates efficient methods for wastewater treatment, while energy constraints demand reduced energy consumption through effective degradation processes. Electroassisted photocatalysis is widely employed in wastewater treatment owing to its swift degradation speed and high efficiency. Employing a self-powered power supply to augment photocatalytic wastewater treatment can significantly enhance the degradation efficiency of pollutants, while simultaneously diminishing energy consumption and overall system costs. Among self-powered power sources, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) holds immense promise due to its ability to efficiently harness ambient mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy to support photocatalytic wastewater treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress in electroassisted photocatalytic wastewater treatment, elucidating its mechanism, power supply, and catalytic materials. It particularly focuses on the current research landscape and development prospects of utilizing TENG as a power-assisted photocatalysis for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the paper delves into modification strategies for catalytic materials, aiming to optimize wastewater treatment efficacy and expedite the degradation rate of pollutants.