Photoelectrocatalysis is a novel technique that combines heterogeneous photocatalysis with the application of an electric field to the system through electrodes for the degradation of organic contaminants in aqueous systems, mainly of toxic dyes. The efficiency of these combined processes depends on the semiconductor properties of the catalysts, as well as on the anodic capacity of the electrode. In this study, we propose the use of active hydrotalcites in the degradation of Congo red dye through processes assisted by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and electric current. Our research focused on evaluating the degradation capacity of Congo red by means of photolysis, catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis, as well as identifying the effect of the properties of the active hydrotalcites in these processes. The results show that a maximum degradation was reached with the photoelectrocatalysis process with active hydrotalcites and a copper anode at 6 h with 95% in a half-life of 0.36 h. The degradation is favored by the attack of the OH^• radicals under double bonds in the diazo groups where the electrode produces Cu²⁺ ions, and with the photogenerated electrons, the recombination speed of the electron–hole in the hydrotalcite catalyst is reduced until the complete degradation.

In recent years, the search for solutions for the treatment of water pollution by toxic compounds such as phenols and chlorophenols has been increasing. Phenols and their derivatives are widely used in the manufacture of pesticides, insecticides, paper, and wood preservers, among other things. Chlorophenols are partially biodegradable but not directly photodegradable by sunlight and are extremely toxic—especially 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is considered to be potentially carcinogenic. As a viable proposal to be applied in the treatment of water contaminated with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, this paper presents an application study of the thermally activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides as photocatalysts for the mineralization of this contaminant. Activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, N₂ physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray dispersive energy. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous solution showed good photocatalytic activity, with an efficiency of degradation of up to 93% and mineralization of 82%; degradation values which are higher than that of TiO₂-P25, which only reached 18% degradation. The degradation capacity is attributed to the structure of the MgO–MgFe₂O₄ oxides derived from double laminate hydroxide Mg/Fe. A path of degradation based on a mechanism of superoxide and hollow radicals is proposed.