Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetaminophen in Aqueous Environments: A Mini Review

Abstract

Over the past few decades, acetaminophen (ACT), a typical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has gained global usage, positioning itself as one of the most extensively consumed medications. However, the incomplete metabolism of ACT leads to a substantial discharge into the environment, classifying it as an environmental contaminant with detrimental effects on non-target organisms. Various wastewater treatment technologies have been developed for ACT removal to mitigate its potential environmental risk. Particularly, photocatalytic technology has garnered significant attention as it exhibits high efficiency in oxidizing and degrading a wide range of organic pollutants. This comprehensive review aims to systematically examine and discuss the application of photocatalytic technology for the removal of ACT from aqueous environments. Additionally, the study provides a detailed overview of the limitations associated with the photocatalytic degradation of ACT in practical applications, along with effective strategies to address these challenges.

Keywords: acetaminophen; doping; heterojunction; photocatalyst; photocatalytic degradation.

Figure 1

Chemical structure of ACT.

Figure 2

Mechanism of GaS@ZG as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst (Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [102]. Copyright 2020 Elsevier).

Figure 3

Electron transfer mechanism diagram in type-II heterojunction photocatalyst (Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [117]. Copyright 2013 American Chemical Society).

Figure 4

Schematic illustration of the photocatalytic degradation of ACT by BNCN₃₅₀/BNCN₄₀₀ Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst (Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [127]. Copyright 2023 Elsevier).

Figure 5

Illustration summarizing the proposed degradation mechanism by different ROS (Reprinted (adapted) with permission from [136]. Copyright 2023 Elsevier).