A comprehensive review on semiconductor-based photocatalysts toward the degradation of persistent pesticides

Pesticides refer to the chemicals to regulate plant growth and control pests used in agriculture. However, the extensive use of pesticides causes serious pollution that threatens the ecological environment and human health. Photocatalytic degradation of pesticides has become a promising way to deal with pesticide pollution. In this review, pesticides are classified according to the different targets and chemical structures. The recent developments on semiconductor-based photocatalysts including metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, carbon nitrides, and metal sulfides were reviewed for degradation of pesticides. Importantly, several modification strategies to improve the photocatalytic performance are described such as doping, heterojunction construction, and defect engineering, with special emphasis on anchoring single atom catalyst. Moreover, extensive efforts should be made to in-depth understand the photodegradation mechanism by monitoring key intermediates. Our perspectives on the key challenges and future directions of developing high-performance semiconductor-based photocatalysts for pesticide degradation are elaborated.