Application of biochar-based photocatalysts for adsorption-(photo)degradation/reduction of environmental contaminants: mechanism, challenges and perspective

Abstract

Highlights 1. Adsorption-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants by biochar-based catalysts is summarized. 2. Adsorption-(photo)catalytic reduction-solidification of heavy metal ions is discussed. 3. Mechanism and active free radicals on the degradation/reduction of contaminants are compared and described. 4. The methods to improve the photocatalysis performance of biochar-based catalysts are introduced. 5. The challenges for the real application of biochar-based materials are provided.

Keywords

• Biochar-based composites
• Adsorption
• Photocatalytic degradation
• Photocatalytic reduction
• Environmental pollutants