Applications of anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays on the removal of aqueous contaminants of emerging concern: A review

• Applications of anodized TiO 2 nanotube arrays for emerging contaminants removal are reviewed. • The effects of TNA properties, operation conditions, and water matrices are discussed. • Knowledge gaps between the state-of-art research and the practical application are identified. • Future research directions are suggested. The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in various water bodies and the associated threats to eco-system and human society have raised increasing concerns. To fight against such a problem, TiO 2 photocatalysis is considered to be a powerful tool. In recent decades, TiO 2 nanotube array (TNA) fabricated by electrochemical anodization emerged as a viable immobilized catalyst and its applications on CECs removal have gained a considerable amount of research interest. We herein present a critical review on the development of TNA and its applications on the removal of aqueous CECs. In this work, the CECs removal in different TNA based processes, the CECs removal mechanisms, the role of TNA properties, the role of operational parameters, and the role of water matrices are discussed. Moreover, perspectives on the current research progress are presented and recommendations on future research are elaborated.