The heavy metal contamination of water systems has become a major environmental concern worldwide. Photocatalysis using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has emerged as a promising approach for heavy metal remediation, owing to the ability of MOFs to fully degrade contaminants through redox reactions that are driven by photogenerated charge carriers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent developments in MOF-based photocatalysts for removing and decontaminating heavy metals from water. The tunable nature of MOFs allows the rational design of composition and features to enhance light harvesting, charge separation, pollutant absorptivity, and photocatalytic activities. Key strategies employed include metal coordination tuning, organic ligand functionalization, heteroatom doping, plasmonic nanoparticle incorporation, defect engineering, and morphology control. The mechanisms involved in the interactions between MOF photocatalysts and heavy metal contaminants are discussed, including light absorption, charge carrier separation, metal ion adsorption, and photocatalytic redox reactions. The review highlights diverse applications of MOF photocatalysts in treating heavy metals such as lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, silver, arsenic, nickel, etc. in water remediation. Kinetic modeling provides vital insights into the complex interplay between coupled processes such as adsorption and photocatalytic degradation that influence treatment efficiency. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is also crucial for evaluating the sustainability of MOF-based technologies. By elucidating the latest advances, current challenges, and future opportunities, this review provides insights into the potential of MOF-based photocatalysts as a sustainable technology for addressing the critical issue of heavy metal pollution in water systems. Ongoing efforts are needed to address the issues of stability, recyclability, scalable synthesis, and practical reactor engineering.

Photocatalysis has emerged as a highly promising, green, and efficient technology for degrading pollutants in wastewater. Among the various photocatalysts, Bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) has gained significant attention in the research community due to its potential in environmental remediation and photocatalytic energy conversion. However, the limited light absorption ability and rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers hinder the further improvement of Bi₂WO₆’s photocatalytic performance. This review aims to present recent advancements in the development of Bi₂WO₆-based photocatalysts. It delves into the photocatalytic mechanism of Bi₂WO₆ and summarizes the achieved photocatalytic characteristics by controlling its morphology, employing metal and non-metal doping, constructing semiconductor heterojunctions, and implementing defective engineering. Additionally, this review explores the practical applications of these modified Bi₂WO₆ photocatalysts in wastewater purification. Furthermore, this review addresses existing challenges and suggests prospects for the development of efficient Bi₂WO₆ photocatalysts. It is hoped that this comprehensive review will serve as a valuable reference and guide for researchers seeking to advance the field of Bi₂WO₆ photocatalysis.

Multiscale composites with engineered interfaces have emerged as a cornerstone in the development of next-generation biomedical materials. This review provides a comprehensive and structured overview of interface design strategies spanning nano-to macro-scales, emphasizing their role in modulating mechanical performance, biological signaling, and adaptive functionality. We categorize key approaches into three synergistic domains: hierarchical structuring for mechanical and cellular control, stimuli-responsive interfaces for dynamic biomedical functions, and bioinspired or living systems that mimic and integrate with biological environments. Advanced fabrication techniques—including additive manufacturing, surface nanofunctionalization, and layer-by-layer assembly—are reviewed alongside multiscale characterization tools for structural and interfacial analysis. We further link these interface strategies to a range of biomedical applications, such as osteochondral scaffolds, vascularized implants, antibacterial coatings, smart drug delivery carriers, and neural-integrated electronics. Biological interactions, including protein adsorption, mechanotransduction, and immune modulation, are explored to elucidate how engineered interfaces influence cellular fate and integration. Finally, we outline key challenges—such as manufacturing scalability, long-term biocompatibility, and regulatory approval—and propose forward-looking solutions enabled by AI-driven materials design and organ-on-chip validation. This review serves as a conceptual and technical roadmap for researchers developing multifunctional biomaterials through the lens of multiscale interface engineering.

The efficient degradation of antibiotics in wastewater is critical for addressing global water pollution challenges. Herein, we report a dual-atom Fe-Co catalyst anchored on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (FeCo/NC), which demonstrates superior performance in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and tetracycline (TC) degradation. This system achieves a remarkable 91.2% TC removal efficiency, significantly outperforming single-atom catalysts. Mechanistic investigations reveal that FeCo/NC induces a unique spin-state reconstruction, optimizing its electronic structure and shifting the oxidative mechanism from a radical-driven pathway to a singlet oxygen (¹O₂)-dominated nonradical process. Theoretical insights from density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the preferred ¹O₂ generation pathway at FeCo active sites, with reduced energy barriers that enhance catalytic activity. Toxicological evaluations validate that TC degradation intermediates exhibit minimal ecological risks, reinforcing the environmental safety of this approach. The long-term stability of the FeCo/NC/PMS system was evaluated via a continuous-flow photocatalytic reactor, the above results reflect the superior catalytic activity and stability of the FeCo/NC/PMS system. This work establishes a paradigm for designing advanced dual-atom catalysts and provides critical insights for developing eco-friendly solutions to antibiotic-contaminated wastewater treatment.

Water pollution has becoming an increasingly serious issue, and it has attracted a significant amount of attention from scholars. Here, in order remove heavy metal hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) from wastewater, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was modified with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) at different mass ratios via an ultrasonic method to synthesize g-C₃N₄/MoS₂ (CNM) nanocomposites as photocatalysts. The nanocomposites displayed efficient photocatalytic removal of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) from water under UV, solar, and visible light irradiation. The CNM composite with a 1:2 g-C₃N₄ to MoS₂ ratio achieved optimal 91% Cr (VI) removal efficiency at an initial 20 mg/L Cr (VI) concentration and pH 3 after 120 min visible light irradiation. The results showed a high pH range and good recycling stability. The g-C₃N₄/MoS₂ nanocomposites exhibited higher performance compared to pure g-C₃N₄ due to the narrowed band gap of the Z-scheme heterojunction structure and effective separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs, as evidenced by structural and optical characterization. Overall, the ultrasonic synthesis of g-C₃N₄/MoS₂ photocatalysts shows promise as an efficient technique for enhancing heavy metal wastewater remediation under solar and visible light.

Atmospheric heavy metal pollution presents a severe threat to public health and environmental stability. Transition metal catalysts have emerged as a potent solution for the selective capture and removal of these pollutants. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current advancements in the field, emphasizing the efficiency and specificity of nanostructured transition metals, including manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc. Looking forward, we delve into the prospective trajectory of catalyst development, underscoring the need for materials with enhanced stability, regenerability, and environmental compatibility. We project that advancements in computational materials science, nanotechnology, and green chemistry will be pivotal in discovering innovative catalysts that are economically and environmentally sustainable. The integration of smart technologies for real-time monitoring and adaptive control is anticipated to revolutionize heavy metal remediation, ensuring efficient and responsive pollution abatement strategies in the face of evolving industrial scenarios and regulatory landscapes.