Progress of disinfection catalysts in advanced oxidation processes, mechanisms and synergistic antibiotic degradation

Human diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms make people pay more attention to disinfection. Meanwhile, antibiotics can cause microbial resistance and increase the difficulty of disease treatment, resulting in risk of triggering a vicious circle. Advanced oxidation process (AOPs) has been widely studied in the field of synergistic treatment of the two contaminates. This paper reviews the application of catalytic materials and their modification strategies in the context of AOPs for disinfection and antibiotic degradation. It also delves into the mechanisms of disinfection such as the pathways for microbial inactivation and the related influencing factors, which are essential for understanding the pivotal role of catalytic materials in disinfection principles by AOPs. More importantly, the exploratory research on the combined use of AOPs for disinfection and antibiotic degradation is discussed, and the potential and prospects in this field is highlighted. Finally, the limitations and challenges associated with the application of AOPs in disinfection and antibiotic degradation are summarized. It aims to provide a starting point for future research efforts to facilitate the widespread use of advanced oxidation processes in the field of public health.