Solar-activated ZnS@MXene heterostructure for integrated radioactive wastewater treatment and energy harvesting

The presence of ubiquitous organic contaminants in radioactive wastewater poses formidable challenges for conventional uranium extraction technologies. Herein, we architect an auto-photopotential driven catalytic system (APDCS) through rational integration of ZnS@MXene/CF cathodes with monolithic photoanodes, achieving triple-functional uranium recovery, organic pollutant degradation, and simultaneous power generation from complex radioactive effluents. The ZnS@MXene heterostructure, synthesized via ZIF-8 sulfidation on MXene nanosheets, achieved 22-fold faster U(VI) extraction, 4.3× enhanced tetracycline degradation, and superior power density versus conventional CF cathodes. Ti-O-Zn bonds facilitated efficient electron transport, reducing charge resistance and boosting uranium reduction. Under natural sunlight, APDCS maintained 97 % UO₂²⁺ removal and 95 % TCH degradation efficiency, with <5 % performance decline over 15 cycles. This solar-powered platform, leveraging precise heterojunction nanoarchitecture, establishes a stable tri-functional synergy, offering a sustainable strategy for concurrent energy-water remediation and radioactive waste management.