Advances in Photocatalytic Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis Enhanced Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 819

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Research Group in Microfluidic and Photoelectrocatalytic Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, FEI University Centre, São Bernardo do Campo 09850-901, SP, Brazil
Interests: photocatalysis; photoreactors; microfluidics; advanced oxidation processes; process systems engineering

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineerin, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt
Interests: advanced wastewater treatment; environmental engineering; life-cycle analysis; water chemistry

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Guest Editor
Research Group in Advanced Oxidation Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 055080-030 SP, Brazil
Interests: advanced oxidation processes; photocatalysis; photochemical reactor design

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The urgency for sustainable and efficient water as well as wastewater treatment methodologies is pressing in the face of global challenges such as increasing pollution, the scarcity of clean water, and stringent environmental regulations. Photocatalytic water treatment processes represent a promising avenue for addressing these challenges due to their ability to decompose organic pollutants and inactivate microbial contaminants under light irradiation. These processes, which make use of recent advancements in materials science and catalysis, offer a green and energy-efficient alternative to conventional treatment methods. However, the field is still evolving, with significant opportunities for innovation in terms of catalyst design, reaction mechanisms, equipment design, system integration, and scalability. Understanding the complexities and optimizing the efficiencies of these processes are crucial for their practical application and the broader goal of sustainable water management.

This Special Issue on “Advances in Photocatalytic Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes” seeks high-quality works focusing on the latest developments in the field. We invite contributions that explore multidisciplinary, innovative photocatalytic materials, mechanisms, and methodologies that enhance the efficiency and applicability of water as well as wastewater treatment. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development and characterization of novel photocatalysts for water and wastewater treatment;
  • Mechanistic insights into the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants;
  • Design and optimization of photocatalytic reactors as well as reaction systems;
  • Integration of photocatalytic processes with other water treatment technologies;
  • Pilot-scale studies on and scalability of photocatalytic water treatment processes;
  • Life cycle assessments, economic analyses, and sustainability studies of photocatalytic treatment systems;
  • Photocatalytic removal of emerging contaminants from water and wastewater.

We encourage contributions that provide new insights, represent significant advances, and contribute to the knowledge and application of photocatalytic water treatment processes. The findings should have implications for the design, operation, and optimization of treatment systems, aiming at the enhancement of water quality and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Bruno Ramos
Dr. Mohamed Gar Alalm
Prof. Dr. Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira
Guest Editors

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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • photocatalysis
  • water treatment
  • wastewater treatment
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • environmental remediation
  • photocatalytic degradation
  • photocatalytic reactors
  • life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment processes
  • solar-driven water treatment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 4096 KiB  
Article
Carotenoid Degradation in Annatto Dye Wastewater Using an O3/H2O2 Advanced Oxidation Process
by Priscila Carriel Garcia, Mateus Nordi Esperança, José Ricardo Turquetti and André Luís de Castro Peixoto
Processes 2025, 13(3), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030824 - 11 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Urucum, also known as annatto, is a plant native to Brazil. However, there is a notable scarcity of scientific studies focusing on the wastewater generated by the annatto natural dye industry. This study seeks to address the existing knowledge gaps by presenting [...] Read more.
Urucum, also known as annatto, is a plant native to Brazil. However, there is a notable scarcity of scientific studies focusing on the wastewater generated by the annatto natural dye industry. This study seeks to address the existing knowledge gaps by presenting original and substantive data pertaining to this economic sector. This study investigates the degradation of carotenoids in real annatto dye wastewater through the application of an O3/H2O2 oxidation process. A 23 factorial experimental design was utilized to determine the influence of three key variables—pH (2.5–5.5), O3 mass flow rate (8.0–18.0 mg min−1), and initial H2O2 concentration (between 1.572 and 4.716 g L−1)—on both the degradation efficiency and the associated reaction kinetics. The process demonstrated impressive carotenoid removal, achieving degradation efficiencies between 84% and 97% with pseudo-first-order kinetic constants ranging from 0.0310 to 0.0805 min−1. A statistical analysis revealed that the O3 mass flow rate was the most influential factor on the degradation efficiency, while all the operational parameters played significant roles in determining the degradation kinetics. Notably, the process achieved optimal performance without the need for pH adjustment, presenting a cost-efficient solution for industrial applications. These findings offer critical insights into the treatment of high-strength agro-industrial wastewater, thereby advancing the development and implementation of oxidation processes for wastewater management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Photocatalytic Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes)
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