Next-Generation Catalytic Solutions for Water Purification and Wastewater Remediation

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 2524

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering (COE), A’Sharqiyah University (ASU), Ibra 400, Oman
Interests: contaminant fate and transport in soil and groundwater; groundwater remediation; water and wastewater treatment; solid waste management; catalysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water purification and wastewater remediation are critical challenges today, with demands for sustainable and efficient solutions continually increasing. This Special Issue, “Next-Generation Catalytic Solutions for Water Purification and Wastewater Remediation,” aims to explore the latest advancements in catalytic technologies that address these challenges.

We invite researchers to submit high-quality original research articles and comprehensive review papers that focus on innovative catalytic materials, processes, and applications in water treatment. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development of novel catalytic materials for water purification;
  • Advanced catalytic processes for wastewater treatment;
  • Catalytic degradation of emerging contaminants;
  • Sustainability and environmental impact of catalytic water treatment methods;
  • Integration of catalytic systems with other water treatment technologies;
  • Case studies and practical applications of catalytic solutions in real-world scenarios.

The Special Issue provides a platform for scientists, engineers, and professionals in the field to share their findings and insights. It serves as a valuable resource for those aiming to understand cutting-edge developments in catalytic approaches to water purification and wastewater remediation.

Dr. Motasem Alazaiza
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • water purification
  • wastewater remediation
  • catalytic materials
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • photocatalysis
  • electrocatalysis
  • nanomaterials
  • environmental catalysis
  • sustainable water treatment
  • emerging contaminants
  • catalyst stability
  • green chemistry
  • water quality improvement
  • catalytic degradation
  • environmental sustainability

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3287 KB  
Article
Effect of Solar Irradiation on the Electrooxidation of a Dye Present in Aqueous Solution and in Real River Water
by Anabel Ramos-García, Carlos E. Barrera-Díaz, Bernardo A. Frontana-Uribe, Jorge Vazquez-Arenas and Liliana I. Ávila-Córdoba
Catalysts 2025, 15(12), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15121171 - 16 Dec 2025
Viewed by 692
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of an electrooxidation (EO) process employing Sb2O5-doped RuO2–ZrO2|Ti anodes integrated into a concave-cover solar still for the degradation of Allura Red dye in aqueous solution and real river water. The [...] Read more.
This study investigates the performance of an electrooxidation (EO) process employing Sb2O5-doped RuO2–ZrO2|Ti anodes integrated into a concave-cover solar still for the degradation of Allura Red dye in aqueous solution and real river water. The anode was synthesized and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm its porous morphology and crystalline structure. Operational parameters—including supporting electrolyte concentration, initial solution pH, and current density—were systematically optimized. Under optimal conditions (pH 2–3 and 5 mA cm−2), the EO process was evaluated under natural solar irradiation. Sunlight exposure increased the solution temperature from approximately 20 °C to 50 °C, enhancing molecular diffusion and mass transport, thereby accelerating decolorization kinetics. Compared to EO performed under laboratory conditions, the solar-assisted system achieved an additional 20% increase in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and a fast reduction in color. When applied to real Lerma River water samples under these optimal conditions, the treatment achieved approximately 50% reduction in both COD and true color, demonstrating its applicability to complex environmental matrices. These results confirm that coupling electrooxidation with solar thermal input significantly improves pollutant degradation efficiency and energy performance, establishing this integrated approach as a promising and sustainable technology for advanced wastewater treatment. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 4343 KB  
Review
Bamboo-Derived Activated Carbon for Dye-Contaminated Wastewater Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Synthesis, Doping Strategies, and Photocatalytic Performance
by Dhaarisvini Sinnakrishna, Chin Wei Lai, Yue Li, Boon Hoong Ong, Ping Xiang, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Pooja Dhiman and Amit Kumar
Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010018 - 25 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 802
Abstract
Industrial and domestic effluents contaminated with synthetic dyes represent a significant global environmental and public health concern, necessitating the development of efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. Among various remediation strategies, activated carbon (AC) has garnered considerable attention as an effective adsorbent, [...] Read more.
Industrial and domestic effluents contaminated with synthetic dyes represent a significant global environmental and public health concern, necessitating the development of efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. Among various remediation strategies, activated carbon (AC) has garnered considerable attention as an effective adsorbent, owing to its high surface area, excellent porosity, and strong adsorption capacity. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of activated carbon, with a particular focus on its derivation from bamboo biomass—a renewable, abundant, and low-cost precursor. It explores the key physicochemical characteristics of bamboo-based AC, common synthesis techniques, and the role of modification strategies—particularly metal oxide doping with TiO2, ZnO, and MoS2—in enhancing dye removal performance. The mechanisms underlying dye remediation, including adsorption and photocatalysis, as well as the synergistic effects observed in advanced AC-based composites, are critically examined. Emphasis is placed on the degradation of commonly used textile dyes such as methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), and reactive blue, supported by comparative analyses of efficiency, stability, and reusability across various studies. Finally, the review outlines current challenges and knowledge gaps in the field, offering perspectives on future research directions to advance the development and large-scale application of sustainable bamboo-derived activated carbon composites for effective and eco-friendly wastewater purification. Full article
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Other

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21 pages, 3648 KB  
Systematic Review
Global Research Evolution in Catalytic Water and Wastewater Treatment: A Bibliometric Analysis Toward Sustainable and Resilient Technologies
by Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza, Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh, Mahmood Riyadh Atta, Akram Fadhl Al-Mahmodi, Dia Eddin Nassani, Masooma Al Lawati and Mohammed F. M. Abushammala
Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040291 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 671
Abstract
The increasing global demand for sustainable water purification technologies has accelerated research on catalytic degradation and advanced oxidation processes for the removal of refractory pollutants. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in catalytic water and wastewater treatment from [...] Read more.
The increasing global demand for sustainable water purification technologies has accelerated research on catalytic degradation and advanced oxidation processes for the removal of refractory pollutants. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in catalytic water and wastewater treatment from 2010 to 2025, combining quantitative mapping with a qualitative synthesis of emerging technological directions. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus database and screened using the PRISMA framework, followed by analysis using VOSviewer (v1.6.20) and OriginPro (version 2023, OriginLab Corporation, Northampton, MA, USA) to examine publication growth, citation patterns, international collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. A total of 1550 publications, including 1265 research articles and 285 review papers, were analyzed. The results show a significant increase in research output after 2015, reflecting growing global attention to water sustainability and environmental remediation. China, the United States, and India were identified as the leading contributors, with strong international collaboration networks. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed three dominant research themes: photocatalytic degradation and semiconductor engineering, Fenton and Fenton-like advanced oxidation processes, and emerging hybrid catalytic systems involving carbon-based materials and metal–organic frameworks. The analysis also indicates a recent shift toward multifunctional hybrid catalysts designed to improve efficiency, stability, and performance in complex wastewater systems. These findings highlight key scientific developments and suggest future research priorities, including green catalyst synthesis, reactor and process scale-up, AI-assisted catalyst design, and life-cycle sustainability assessment to support the transition from laboratory research to practical water treatment applications. Full article
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