Emerging Catalytic Strategies Driven by External Field for Heavy Metal Remediation

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution presents significant environmental and public health risks due to its widespread occurrence and resistance to degradation. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions to address the challenge of heavy metal ion removal from water resources. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in emerging catalytic strategies for efficient heavy metal remediation, leveraging various external fields such as electric, mechanical, magnetic, and thermoelectric fields, as well as their synergetic coupling with photocatalysis technology. These novel approaches offer promising avenues for enhancing heavy metal removal efficacy and environmental sustainability. In particular, this review focuses on recent breakthroughs in new materials systems capable of functioning under diverse external fields, heralding future advancements in heavy metal remediation. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future perspectives in this emerging research area.