Improved remediation of contaminated water using ZnO systems via chemical treatment: applications, implications and toxicological mitigation

Abstract

Environmental remediation is an alternative field of science that can solve various environmental challenges based on numerous treatment methods. In particular, heterogeneous photocatalysis is an advanced oxidative process that has been the subject of many studies related to environmental control. Globally, pollution by organic pollutants represents risks to environmental health that compromise public health and directly affect the scientific knowledge of public policies that potentially improve quality of life from a sustainable point of view. ZnO systems are receiving special attention due to their attractive characteristics (non-toxic nature, high surface area, thermal/chemical stability), availability of being chemically modified by various strategies, and particularly good environmental remediation. This review focuses on the efforts of ZnO-based photocatalysts, such as the methods, chemical modifications, operational parameters, and the effects after the release of effluents in aquatic matrices. Therefore, we investigated the recent advances in zinc systems aimed at treating contaminated water and their direct application in environmental remediation.