Surface engineering strategies for efficient photocatalytic nitrate reduction in wastewater purification

Nitrate contamination in water remains a critical environmental challenge, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Photocatalytic reduction has emerged as a promising approach due to its eco-friendly nature and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as incomplete nitrate conversion, competition with dissolved oxygen, and the substantial electron consumption required for selective nitrogen generation hinder its practical application. Recent advancements focus on advanced surface engineering of photocatalysts to enhance activity and selectivity. This review provides a systematic analysis of advanced strategies for enhancing photocatalytic nitrate reduction efficiency, focusing on nanostructured surface engineering approaches including morphology control, heterointerface construction, defect and doping engineering for highly selective nitrogen generation. The integration of photocatalysts with membrane separation and biohybrid systems is further discussed to enhance feasibility for practical water treatment, providing critical insights for rational material design and scalable remediation solutions. This review establishes a systematic framework for rational photocatalyst design by correlating structure-performance relationships with multi-technology integration mechanisms, while advancing scalable nitrate remediation strategies that bridge material innovation with environmental applications.