The ultraviolet (UV)/H₂O₂, UV/O₃, UV/peroxodisulfate (PDS) and UV/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) methods are called UV-based advanced oxidation processes. In the UV/H₂O₂ and UV/O₃ processes, the free radicals generated are hydroxyl radicals (•OH), while in the UV/PDS and UV/PMS processes, sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) predominate, accompanied by •OH. SO₄^•− are considered to be more advantageous than •OH in degrading organic substances, so the researches on activation of PDS and PMS have become a hot spot in recent years. Especially the utilization of UV-activated PDS and PMS in removing antibiotics in water has received much attention. Some influencing factors and mechanisms are constantly investigated and discussed in the UV/PDS and UV/PMS systems toward antibiotics degradation. However, a systematic review about UV/PDS and UV/PMS in eliminating antibiotics is lacking up to now. Therefore, this review is intended to present the properties of UV sources, antibiotics, and PDS (PMS), to discuss the application of UV/PDS (PMS) in degrading antibiotics from the aspects of effect, influencing factors and mechanism, and to analyze and propose future research directions.

In recent decades, water pollution caused by emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, has attracted much attention. Antibiotics are commonly used pharmaceuticals, and their residue in water may accelerate the development of antibiotic resistance genes, which can produce resistance to the treatment of diseases. In this study, two energy-based systems, heat/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and ultrasound (US)/PMS were chosen to treat the typical antibiotic tetracycline (TC) in water. The influencing factors and kinetic equations of TC degradation by heat/PMS and US/PMS were investigated and the rates of TC degradation by the two systems were compared. The results showed that the optimal PMS concentration required for TC degradation in both systems was 0.3 mM, and neither system was affected by solution pH. The power of the US in the US/PMS system was as important as the temperature in the heat/PMS system because they provided activation energy. Both heat and US could activate PMS to degrade TC, and US was slightly superior with 80% TC removal under the conditions of [TC] = 20 mg/L, [PMS] = 0.3 mM, pH = 6.4, T = 20 °C, and US power = 550 W. US is considered to be more advantageous in activating PMS to degrade TC.

The application of nano-TiO₂ photoelectrocatalytic oxidation technology for pollutant degradation is a hot research topic. It is one of the most effective techniques for the Advanced Oxidation Technology to oxidize the refractory pollutants in the wastewater. Because the nano-TiO₂ photoelectrocatalytic oxidation technology has a strong oxidation capacity, low cost, and non-toxicity, it has become the most potential application in the wastewater treatment. This article describes the application and research progress of the nano-TiO₂ photoelectrocatalytic oxidation technology in the treatment of industrial wastewater, agricultural wastewater and land fill leachate in the recent years. Using the nano-TiO₂ photoelectrocatalytic oxidation technology to treat different pollutants was summarized. It points the direction of nano-photocatalytic Oxidation Photocatalyst Oxidation technology in future water treatment application technology.

In recent years, the efficient removal of organic pollutants from wastewater has emerged as a critical area of global research interest. Against this backdrop, an array of innovative technologies for wastewater treatment has been developed. Among numerous advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), periodate (PI), an emerging oxidizing agent in AOPs, has garnered significant attention from researchers. Particularly, the integration of ultrasound (US)-activated PI systems has been recognized as an exceptionally promising approach for the synergistic degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. In this paper, we conducted a thorough analysis of the mechanisms underlying the degradation of organic pollutants using the US/PI system. Furthermore, we comprehensively delineated the effects of ultrasonic power, periodate concentration, temperature, pH, coexisting inorganic ions, and dissolved organic matter on the removal efficiency of organic pollutants and summarized application cases of the US/PI system for the degradation of different pollutants. Finally, we also offered prospective discussions on the future trajectories of US/PI technology development.