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Toxics
Special Issues
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation
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Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Toxicity Reduction and Environmental Remediation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 3715

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Haoyu Luo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
Interests: advanced oxidation processes; high-valent metal species; photocatalysis; wastewater treatment; organic pollutant degradation
Dr. Chun Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Interests: advanced oxidation; nanomaterial; Fenton/Fenton-like; wastewater treatment; organic pollutant degradation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The persistent release of hazardous pollutants into ecosystems demands innovative remediation strategies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) leveraging emerging materials have emerged as a transformative approach, offering high efficiency, scalability, and specificity in degrading refractory contaminants. This Special Issue highlights cutting-edge research on emerging materials-enhanced AOPs, focusing on novel synthesis, mechanistic insights, and applications in water, air, and soil remediation. We invite original research, reviews, and communications addressing the following:

  • Design and optimization of emerging materials for AOPs;
  • Mechanistic studies of reactive species generation and pollutant degradation;
  • Scalability and environmental toxicology of emerging materials;
  • Hybrid systems integrating AOPs with other technologies.

Contributions should advance our fundamental understanding or the practical deployment of these systems, bridging gaps between laboratory innovation and real-world environmental solutions. Submissions must adhere to the rigorous scientific standards of Toxics. For inquiries, contact the Editorial Office.

Dr. Haoyu Luo
Dr. Chun Xiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
  • environmental catalysis
  • nanomaterials
  • water treatment
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • photocatalysis
  • catalyzed ozone
  • refractory pollutants

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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32 pages, 5954 KB  
Article
Application of Carbon-Based Catalysts Derived from Ship Antifouling Paint Particles in Ultrasound-Fe2+/Peroxydisulfate Advanced Oxidation Process for Activated Sludge Reduction: A Pilot-Scale Study
by Can Zhang, Kunkun Yu, Jianhua Zhou and Deli Wu
Toxics 2026, 14(4), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14040292 - 28 Mar 2026
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Activated sludge treatment is plagued by high secondary pollution risks, and ship antifouling paint particles (APPs) as hazardous heavy metal-rich solid wastes generated from hull derusting wastewater, pose severe environmental threats and intractable disposal dilemmas. This study developed a novel pilot-scale activated sludge [...] Read more.
Activated sludge treatment is plagued by high secondary pollution risks, and ship antifouling paint particles (APPs) as hazardous heavy metal-rich solid wastes generated from hull derusting wastewater, pose severe environmental threats and intractable disposal dilemmas. This study developed a novel pilot-scale activated sludge reduction process coupling APPs-derived carbon-based catalysts with ultrasound-Fe2+/peroxydisulfate (PDS) advanced oxidation. Columnar catalysts were fabricated via direct carbonization-molding using waste APPs from an 82,000 deadweight bulk carrier were used as the sole raw material to prepare columnar catalysts via direct carbonization-molding; single-factor and orthogonal experiments optimized process parameters, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) characterized catalyst and sludge properties, free radical quenching experiments elucidated reaction mechanisms and a 90-day continuous pilot run assessed catalytic stability. The process achieved a 43.5% sludge removal rate under optimal conditions, accompanied by 100% toluene and 92.3% phenolic compound degradation, as well as efficient total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal. Mechanistic studies via characterization and quenching experiments confirmed the catalyst enhanced PDS activation through free/non-free radical synergy and accelerated Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cycling. A 90-day continuous pilot operation demonstrated excellent long-term catalytic stability, with sludge removal rate remaining above 38%. This “waste treating waste” technology realizes high-value APPs resource utilization, provides a low-carbon sludge disposal pathway, and offers a scalable solution for collaborative pollution control in the wastewater treatment and shipping industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation)
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20 pages, 3371 KB  
Article
Synergistic Activation of Peroxymonosulfate by CoMnOx Supported on Coal Gangue for Alkaline Wastewater Treatment
by Ke An, Weiwei Yang and Houhu Zhang
Toxics 2026, 14(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14010029 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 542
Abstract
This study explores the application of a cobalt–manganese oxide catalyst supported on coal gangue (CoMnOx@CG) for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade phenol in coal chemical wastewater (CCW). The synthesized CoMnOx@CG catalyst demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity, achieving above 90% phenol removal within 10 min [...] Read more.
This study explores the application of a cobalt–manganese oxide catalyst supported on coal gangue (CoMnOx@CG) for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade phenol in coal chemical wastewater (CCW). The synthesized CoMnOx@CG catalyst demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity, achieving above 90% phenol removal within 10 min at pH 9 and 11. More importantly, the catalyst exhibited excellent stability and reusability, maintaining over 85% phenol removal efficiency after four consecutive cycles and cobalt leaching below 100 μg/L. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses revealed that singlet oxygen (1O2), sulfate radicals (SO4·−), and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) contributed to the degradation process. When treating actual CCW, the system significantly reduced both phenol and fluorescent dissolved organic matter, demonstrating its effectiveness for complex wastewater matrices. CoMnOx@CG provides a sustainable and practical solution for alkaline refractory wastewater remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation)
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15 pages, 4724 KB  
Article
Copper-Based MOF-Derived Core–Shell Materials via N/P/S Ternary Doping for Peroxymonosulfate Activation: Efficient Degradation and Removal of Sulfamethazine
by Haiyang Zhou, Zhijing Zhang, Shan Zhang, Xiaofeng Wu, Haitao Li, Yong Qiu and Lichao Nengzi
Toxics 2025, 13(12), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13121023 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 842
Abstract
Sulfamethazine (SMT) contamination in aquatic environments and its propensity to induce antibiotic resistance pose critical risks to ecosystems and public health, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Here, we develop a MOF-derived copper core–shell activator, Cu-MOFs400@PSN, by coating a calcined Cu-MOF derivative (Cu-MOFs400) with a [...] Read more.
Sulfamethazine (SMT) contamination in aquatic environments and its propensity to induce antibiotic resistance pose critical risks to ecosystems and public health, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Here, we develop a MOF-derived copper core–shell activator, Cu-MOFs400@PSN, by coating a calcined Cu-MOF derivative (Cu-MOFs400) with a nitrogen/phosphorus/sulfur-doped shell and systematically evaluate its peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation performance toward SMT degradation. Comprehensive characterization confirms successful N/P/S incorporation and the formation of a smooth spherical core–shell architecture that enhances chemical stability; the Cu-MOFs400@PSN/PMS system achieves complete SMT removal within 120 min and maintains 99.33% efficiency after five reuse cycles. Bicarbonate markedly promotes degradation, whereas chloride, nitrate, and phosphate exert negligible interference, indicating strong tolerance to common background ions. Radical-quenching tests identify singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide (•O2−) as the dominant reactive species, with minor contributions from sulfate and hydroxyl radicals; the system facilitates complete SMT mineralization and reduces resistance-inducing intermediates. These results highlight Cu-MOFs400@PSN as a robust and reusable PMS activator for practical remediation of SMT-contaminated waters and mitigation of antibiotic-resistance risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation)
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Review

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37 pages, 3824 KB  
Review
Unlocking the Oxidative Performance of Peracetic Acid: A Comprehensive Review of Activation Pathways and Mechanisms for Environmental Remediation
by Chun Xiao, Lihong Ai, Jinxi Chen, Wu Ren, Jinran Feng, Yue Lu, Yaoyao Chen, Yunxiu Luo, Xindong Yang, Min Dai, Jiangfei Cao, Jianqiao Qin and Chunsheng Xie
Toxics 2026, 14(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14010006 - 19 Dec 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1222
Abstract
The activation of peracetic acid (PAA) to generate highly reactive species has emerged as a promising advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the degradation of refractory organic pollutants. This review systematically summarizes the recent advancements in PAA-based AOPs, encompassing various activation strategies, underlying reaction [...] Read more.
The activation of peracetic acid (PAA) to generate highly reactive species has emerged as a promising advanced oxidation process (AOP) for the degradation of refractory organic pollutants. This review systematically summarizes the recent advancements in PAA-based AOPs, encompassing various activation strategies, underlying reaction mechanisms, and applications across different environmental matrices. The activation methods are critically discussed, including direct energy activation, homogeneous catalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis. The generation process of diverse reactive species, like hydroxyl radicals (HO·), organic radicals (CH3C(O)O·, CH3C(O)OO·), and singlet oxygen (1O2), was introduced, and their oxidation selectivity and anti-interference ability were compared. Furthermore, the practical applications of PAA-based AOPs in treating wastewater, groundwater, and contaminated soil/sediments are reviewed. Finally, this review outlines critical challenges, including potential toxic byproduct formation, catalyst stability, and economic feasibility, and proposes future research directions to facilitate the transition of PAA-based AOPs from laboratory-scale research to full-scale implementation. This review provides insights for developing efficient, selective, and sustainable oxidation technologies, thereby contributing to the mitigation of emerging contaminant threats and the advancement of environmental remediation practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs): Emerging Materials for Environmental Remediation)
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