Photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics in municipal wastewater over ZnIn₂S₄

The development of cost-effective semiconductors to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics in municipal and pharmaceutical wastewater is crucial for societal progress and improving daily life. ZnIn₂S₄ is considered a promising photocatalyst for antibiotic degradation due to its exceptional visible light absorption, appropriate band gap, and affordability. Extensive efforts have been devoted to modifying and optimizing ZnIn₂S₄ to achieve high photocatalytic performance. This review comprehensively outlines the recent advancements in engineering ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts and their applications in the degradation of antibiotics in municipal and pharmaceutical wastewater through photocatalysis. The review commences by explaining the principles of photocatalytic antibiotic degradation, followed by a detailed discussion of five effective strategies proposed for enhancing photocatalytic performance. These strategies encompass morphology design, metal deposition, element doping, vacancy engineering, and semiconductor combination. Furthermore, this review also highlights the typical applications of ZnIn₂S₄-based photocatalysts for catalytic antibiotic degradation. Finally, the current challenges and the potential for further developments in this fascinating field are also discussed.