A comprehensive review on semiconductor -based photocatalysts toward the degradation of persistent pesticides

Pesticides refer to the chemicals to regulate plant growth and control pests used in agriculture. However, the extensive use of pesticides causes serious pollution that threatens the ecological environment and human health, Photocatalytic degradation of pesticides has become a promising way to deal with pesticide pollution. In this review, pesticides are classified according to the different targets and chemical structures. The recent developments on semiconductor-based photocatalysts including metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, carbon nitrides, and metal sulfides were reviewed for degradation of pesticides. Importantly, several modification strategies to improve the photocatalytic performance are described such as doping, heterojunction construction, and defect engineering, with special emphasis on anchoring single atom catalyst. Moreover, extensive efforts should be made to indepth understand the photodegradation mechanism by monitoring key intermediates. Our perspectives on the key challenges and future directions of developing high-performance semiconductor-based photocatalysts for pesticide degradation are elaborated.

Automated summary

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to regulate plant growth and control pests, but their extensive use leads to serious pollution that endangers the ecological environment and human health. Photocatalytic degradation of pesticides using semiconductor-based photocatalysts is a promising method to tackle pesticide pollution. This review classifies pesticides based on their targets and chemical structures, and discusses the recent developments in semiconductor-based photocatalysts, including metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, carbon nitrides, and metal sulfides, for pesticide degradation. Modifications strategies such as doping, heterojunction construction, defect engineering, and anchoring single atom catalysts to enhance the photocatalytic performance are described. In addition, understanding the photodegradation mechanism by monitoring key intermediates is important. The review also elaborates on the key challenges and future directions in developing high-performance semiconductor-based photocatalysts for pesticide degradation.