Pyroelectric materials have the ability to convert the environmental cold–hot thermal energy such as day–night temperature alternation into electrical energy. The novel pyro-catalysis technology can be designed and realized on the basis of the product coupling between pyroelectric and electrochemical redox effects, which is helpful for the actual dye decomposition. The organic two-dimensional (2D) graphic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), as an analogue of graphite, has attracted considerable interest in the field of material science; however, its pyroelectric effect has rarely been reported. In this work, the remarkable pyro-catalytic performance was achieved in the 2D organic g-C₃N₄ nanosheet catalyst materials under the continuous room-temperature cold–hot thermal cycling excitation from 25 °C to 60 °C. The pyro-catalytic RhB dye decoloration efficiency of the 2D organic g-C₃N₄ can reach ~92.6%. Active species such as the superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals are observed as the intermediate products in the pyro-catalysis process of the 2D organic g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The pyro-catalysis of the 2D organic g-C₃N₄ nanosheets provides efficient technology for wastewater treatment applications, utilizing the ambient cold–hot alternation temperature variations in future.

The application of semiconductor photocatalysts with narrow band gaps is hindered by the rapid recombination of electron–hole pairs and limitation of multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) synchronous generation. A n–n-type direct Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalyst was constructed based on the staggered band alignment of bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) and indium zinc sulfide (ZnIn₂S₄) to reveal the synergistic effect of charge separation and multiple ROS synchronous generation on boosting photocatalytic performance. Under irradiation, electrons in the conduction band (CB) of Bi₂WO₆ and holes in the valence band (VB) of ZnIn₂S₄ recombined at interface to prolong the lifetime of electrons in the CB of ZnIn₂S₄ and holes in the VB of Bi₂WO₆. Meanwhile, the multiple ROS synchronously generated to oxidize pollutant due to the strong redox ability of electrons of ZnIn₂S₄ and holes of Bi₂WO₆, which was determined by the CB potential of ZnIn₂S₄ and VB potential of Bi₂WO₆. The results provided valuable insights for the application of photocatalysts with a narrow band gap in the field of water pollution control.

Statins are widely used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia disease, which are refractory in the municipal sewage treatment plant. The photocatalytic degradation of statins by the Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalyst is confirmed, but the degradation mechanism of statins needs to be further revealed. In this study, the effects of photocatalyst dosage, solution pH and humic acid (HA) on the photocatalysis of fluvastatin by ZnIn₂S₄/Bi₂WO₆ Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalyst (ZIS/BWO photocatalyst) were investigated and the degradation mechanism was proposed. Results showed that adsorption of fluvastatin was improved with the increase of photocatalyst dosage, but photoinduced desorption and light scattering resulted in the decrease of the removal of fluvastatin with high dosage. 0.2[ ]g/L of the ZIS/BWO photocatalyst was optimal dosage. 65.21% of fluvastatin was removed at pH=9, because high concentration of OH⁻ was conducive to produce ⋅OH. The change of pH, competition of photons and active sites, and trapping of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by carboxyl group of HA combined to inhibit the photocatalysis of fluvastatin in the presence of HA. The C–C, C[ ]C and C–N bonds of fluvastatin were attacked by a variety of ROS to generate degradable intermediates that were easily mineralized to H₂O and CO₂.

Using photodeposition and plasma, Pt-N co-modified TiO₂ nanotube electrodes were created. Several techniques, such as SEM, XRD, UV-VIS-DRS, XPS, and PL, were used to analyze the electrode shape, crystalline structure, light absorption range, elemental composition, and photogenerated carrier recombination efficiency. Using the electrochemical workstation, EIS and I-t were utilized to examine the electrochemical characteristics. The results indicated that the diameter of the TiO₂ nanotube tubes was around 90 nm, and that the photodeposition duration affected the amount of Pt particles deposited. The deposited Pt particles efficiently reduced the photogenerated carrier complexation rate of the N-TiO₂ nanotube electrode, contributing to the separation of electron-hole pairs and light utilization. Electrochemical studies indicated that Pt-N co-modified TiO₂ increased the electrode’s oxidation and electrical conductivity, as well as its photoelectrocatalytic capacity. Oxytetracycline degradation in simulated wastewater by a Pt-N co-modified TiO₂ nanotube electrode revealed the exceptional PEC activity, and the oxytetracycline degradation processes followed primary kinetics. •O₂⁻ and •OH played a significant role in the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline, resulting in a novel method for oxytetracycline degradation.

Editorial: Migration and transformation rules, evaluation and remediation methods of pollutants in “water-soil-plants”

The application of semiconductor photocatalyst with narrow band gap is hindered by the rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs and limitation of multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) synchronous generation. The n-n type direct Z-scheme heterostructured photocatalyst was constructed based on the staggered band alignment of bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6 ) and indium zinc sulfide (ZnIn 2 S 4 ) to reveal the synergistic effect of charge separation and multiple ROS synchronous generation on boost photocatalytic performance. Under irradiation, electrons in the conduction band (CB) of Bi 2 WO 6 and holes in the valence band (VB) of ZnIn 2 S 4 recombined at interface to prolong the lifetime of electrons in the CB of ZnIn 2 S 4 and holes in the VB of Bi 2 WO 6 . Meanwhile, the multiple ROS synchronously generated to oxidize pollutant due to the strong redox ability of electrons of ZnIn 2 S 4 and holes of Bi 2 WO 6 , which determined by the CB potential of ZnIn 2 S 4 and VB potential of Bi 2 WO 6 . The results provided valuable insights for the application of photocatalyst with narrow band gap in the field of water pollution control.