Combination Of Photocatalysis Research Articles

Enantioselective and Band-Gap Modulation in Photocatalysis of Metal-Free Chiral Carbon Dots.

Photodriven chiral catalysis is the combination of photocatalysis and chiral catalysis and is considered one of the cleanest and most efficient methods for the synthesis of chiral compounds or drugs. Furthermore, due to the potential metal contamination associated with most metal-based catalysts, metal-free chiral photocatalysts are ideal candidates. In this work, we demonstrate that metal-free chiral carbon dots (CDs) exhibit size-dependent enantioselective photocatalytic activity. Using serine as the raw material, chiral CDs with well-defined structures and average sizes of 2.22, 3.01, 3.70, 4.77, and 7.21 nm were synthesized using the electrochemical method. These chiral CDs possess size-dependent band gaps and exhibit photoresponsive enantioselective catalytic activity toward the oxidation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). Under light-assisted conditions, chiral CDs (L72, 500 μg/mL) exhibit high selectivity (selectivity factor: 2.07) and maintain a certain level of catalytic activity (1.34 μM/min) even at a low temperature of 5 °C. The high catalytic activity of the chiral CDs arises from their photoelectrons reducing O2 to generate O2-, as the active oxygen species for DOPA oxidation. The high enantioselectivity of the chiral CDs is attributed to their differential adsorption capabilities toward DOPA enantiomers. This study provides a new approach for designing metal-free chiral photocatalysts with high enantioselectivity.

Recent Advances in Advanced Oxidation Processes for Degrading Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater—A Review

A large variety of pharmaceutical compounds have recently been detected in wastewater and natural water systems. This review highlighted the significance of removing pharmaceutical compounds, which are considered indispensable emerging contaminants, from wastewater and natural water systems. Various advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including UV-H2O2, Fenton and photo-Fenton, ozone-based processes, photocatalysis, and physical processes, such as sonolysis, microwave, and electron beam irradiation, which are regarded as the most viable methods to eliminate different categories of pharmaceutical compounds, are discussed. All these AOPs exhibit great promising techniques, and the catalytic degradation process of the emerging contaminants, advantages, and disadvantages of each technique were deliberated. Heterogeneous photocatalysis employing metal oxides, particularly anatase TiO2 nanoparticles as catalysts activated by UV light irradiation, was reviewed in terms of the electron–hole separation, migration of the charge carriers to the catalyst surfaces, and redox potential of the charge carriers. This brief overview also emphasized that anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-based nanomaterials are promising photocatalysts, and a combination of photocatalysis and other AOPs enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency. Finally, the challenges of applying anatase TiO2-based photocatalysis in environmental remediation and wastewater treatments to degrade pharmaceutical compounds, including mass spectroscopic analysis and a biological activity test of by-products of the emerging contaminants resulting from photocatalysis, are summarized.

Ti3C2-assisted construction of Z-scheme MIL-88A(Fe)/Ti3C2/RF heterojunction: Multifunctional photocatalysis-in-situ-self-Fenton catalyst

The applicability of the conventional Fenton reaction is limited due to several factors, including the high cost and slow redox cycle of Fe3+/Fe2+, the requirement for harsh acidic conditions, and the insufficient presence of hydroxyl radicals for the ring-opening reaction. The combination of photocatalysis and Fenton technology to create a photocatalysis-in-situ-self-Fenton (PISF) system is a viable approach for addressing the inherent limitations of conventional Fenton reactions. Herein, a multifunctional PISF system, MIL-88A(Fe)/Ti3C2 MXene/resorcinol-formaldehyde (MIL-88A(Fe)/Ti3C2/RF, MTR) Z-scheme heterojunction, was designed and constructed for degradating organics and inactivating bacteria. With the assistance of Ti3C2, the degradation rate of TC by MTR catalyst was 4.8 times that of MIL-88A(Fe)/RF catalyst under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, good degradation performance was maintained after 5 cycling tests. The remarkable TC removal efficiency (97.4 %) and durability were attributed to the synergistic effect of the photocatalytic reaction and Fenton reaction. The photoinduced holes (h+) assist hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated by the Fenton reaction for deeply mineralizing TC. The degradation intermediates, potential degradation pathways, and intermediates toxicity were comprehensively investigated to gain a deeper understanding of the catalytic process. Moreover, under visible light irradiation, the MTR killed 97.8 % of E. coli and 94.9 % of S. aureus within 120 min, demonstrating good antibacterial activity. This work provides a novel strategy to design PISF catalysts for environmental remediation.

Photo- and electro-chemical strategies for the activations of strong chemical bonds.

The employment of light and/or electricity - alternatively to conventional thermal energy - unlocks new reactivity paradigms as tools for chemical substrate activations. This leads to the development of new synthetic reactions and a vast expansion of chemical spaces. This review summarizes recent developments in photo- and/or electrochemical activation strategies for the functionalization of strong bonds - particularly carbon-heteroatom (C-X) bonds - via: (1) direct photoexcitation by high energy UV light; (2) activation via photoredox catalysis under irradiation with relatively lower energy UVA or blue light; (3) electrochemical reduction; (4) combination of photocatalysis and electrochemistry. Based on the types of the targeted C-X bonds, various transformations ranging from hydrodefunctionalization to cross-coupling are covered with detailed discussions of their reaction mechanisms.

Recent advances in electrochemical C–N bond formation via C–H/N–H activation with hydrogen evolution

Electroorganic synthesis is a powerful sustainable tool for achieving greener and more efficient chemical processes across various industries. By adhering to the principles of green chemistry, atom economy, and resource efficiency, electroorganic synthesis can play a pivotal role in addressing environmental concerns and promoting a more sustainable future for chemical production. This review focuses on the latest advancements in the emerging application of electrochemistry in C-N bond formation through C-H/N-H cross-coupling. The first part of the review describes the electrochemical amination of arenes using metal catalysis (Cu, Co, Ni) with directing groups on the arene moiety. The next section addresses the same type of electrochemical C-N bond formation on arenes without directing groups, which represents a more general strategy enabling the synthesis of anilines and various heterocyclic-bound arenes in high yields. Further developments on benzylic systems are also discussed. This is followed by developments in the combination of photocatalysis and electrochemistry to activate C-H bonds in arenes, alkanes, and benzylic systems, including the use of flow reactor configurations for these reactions.

Utilization of glycerol solution for hydrogen production by a combination of photocatalysis and electrolysis processes with Fe-TiO2 nanotubes

A combination of photocatalysis and electrolysis (photoelectrocatalysis) for the simultaneous degradation of glycerol and hydrogen production using Fe-TiO2 nanotubes has been studied. This photocatalyst was synthesized through Ti anodization followed by Fe deposition with Fe(NO3)3 as precursor using the SILAR (successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction) method. The effects of Fe loading (based on the number of SILAR cycles) on TiO2 nanotubes and glycerol concentration were examined. The generated TiO2 nanotubes were 100% anatase phase with crystallite size between 25 and 29 nm. The results of UV-Vis DRS showed that the number of SILAR cycles of Fe dopant determined the magnitude of the decrease in the band gap of photocatalysts up to 2.74 eV, notably lower than a typical value of 3.15 eV associated with TiO2 anatase. FESEM/EDX, TEM, and HRTEM characterizations indicated the formation of neatly arranged TiO2 nanotubes with Fe deposited on the surface. The photoelectrocatalytic process increased the hydrogen produced by up to 5 times compared to a single photocatalytic or electrolysis process. The photocatalyst sample with Fe deposited on TiO2 nanotubes via a SILAR method with 15 cycles outperformed its bare TiO2 nanotube counterpart by producing hydrogen by 2.5 times (405.8 mmol/m2). Glycerol photo-reforming at 10% concentration produced hydrogen 6 times greater than water splitting (0% glycerol).

Optimisation, modelling and mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of sofosbuvir antiviral by TiO2 nanoparticles coupled with biological treatment

ABSTRACT The overarching objective of this research endeavour was to develop an integrated approach to the complete removal and breakdown of the antiviral compound sofosbuvir. To accomplish this, a two-fold strategy was employed, involving a heterogeneous photocatalysis process coupled with subsequent biological treatment. Leveraging the versatile TiO2-P25 nanoparticles, a meticulous optimisation was carried out using the Box-Behnken methodology, strategically considering the interplay of three pivotal independent variables: pH, initial molecule concentration, and catalyst concentration. This optimisation aimed not only to augment the degradation of sofosbuvir but also to enhance its COD removal. The complex influence of these factors was mathematically encapsulated in a second-order polynomial equation, offering valuable insights into the process dynamics. COD removal and optimal parameters for degradation were a pH of 6.8, a catalyst dosage of 1 g L−1, and an initial molecule concentration of 0.1 mM under a 125 W high-pressure mercury lamp. The efficiency of elimination for the degradation was 100% at 120 min and for the COD removal extinguished 99.44% at 6 h. Sofosbuvir has a rapid degradation, COD removal degree is lower, which means the presence of intermediate compounds more difficult to treat by photocatalysis. Thus, the viability of implementing a link between the nanoparticles TiO2-photocatalysis as a biodegradability improvement pretreatment with the biological process has been studied as an essential activity to enhance treatment efficiency while reducing energy use and treatment times. combination of photocatalysis with a biological treatment improves the treatment. The density functional theory (DFT) approach was applied to better understand the mechanism of sofosbuvir degradation and to examine the impact of different degradation sites. Mechanism Analysis of the photoproducts and photoproduct intermediates was identified by HPLC-MS. However, a 120 min BOD5/COD ratio (COD, chemical oxygen demand; BOD, biochemical oxygen demand) of ≥0.4 results from the degradation of sofosbuvir by TiO2.

Preparation of Fe3O4@GO@MIL-101 nanocomposites and efficient degradation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride by promoting charge separation during the photo-Fenton process

The combination of photocatalysis and Fenton oxidation technology is an efficient strategy to improve the efficiency of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCl) degradation. Herein, a Fe3O4@GO@MIL-101 composite catalyst bridged with graphene oxide (GO) was obtained by a two-stage hydrothermal method. The introduced graphene oxide layer could inhibit the recombination of electron hole (e−- h+) pairs by attracting photo-generated electrons from MIL-101 and transferring them to Fe3O4, observably enhancing the photocatalytic performance of the composite Fe3O4/MOFs. Under the optimal conditions (initial pH, 10 mmol H2O2, 0.01 g/L catalyst), the Fe3O4@GO@MIL-101 + H2O2+Vis system could achieve a degradation effect of 97.26 % on 70 mg/L OTC-HCl within 50 min Fe3O4@GO@MIL-101 nanocomposites exhibited good recyclability, were easy to recover after multiple uses, and maintained excellent removal efficiency for pollutants. A series of data demonstrated that in Fe3O4@GO@MIL-101 + H2O2+Vis system, the primary active substances involved in OTC-HCl degradation were holes and superoxide radicals, while the contributions of hydroxyl radicals and photo generated electrons were relatively weak. Finally, based on various characterization results and catalyst activity performance, a feasible mechanism for the removal of OTC-HCl by Fenton-like system was proposed.

Low-cost photocatalytic membrane modified with green heterojunction TiO2/ZnO nanoparticles prepared from waste

The combination of photocatalysis and membrane procedures represents a promising approach for water treatment. This study utilized green synthesis methods to produce TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using Pomegranate extract and ZnO nanoparticles using Tangerine extract. These nanoparticles were then incorporated into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposite photocatalytic membrane. Different devices were used to examine the properties of nanocomposite membranes. The prepared membranes' morphology was examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was assessed through the measurement of contact angle, while the crystal structure and chemical bonding were analyzed using Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The study also encompassed an examination of the mechanical properties. The hydrophilicity of the modified membrane exhibited a significant improvement. Additionally, there was an observed increase in both the pure water flux and rejection values. The photocatalytic activity of the membrane was found to be enhanced when exposed to sunlight as compared to when kept in the dark. The TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites membrane exhibited the highest level of photocatalytic degradation, achieving a rejection rate of 98.7% compared to the unmodified membrane. Therefore, it was determined that the TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites membrane exhibited superior performance to the other membranes assessed. The potential utility of our research lies in its application within the water treatment industry, specifically as an effective technique for modifying PVC membranes.

Controllable growth of silver nanoparticles on titanium dioxide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber/molybdenum disulfide: Toward enhanced photocatalytic-activating peroxymonosulfate performance and “memory catalysis”

The combination of photocatalysis and activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) can generate more active species and degrade pollutants more efficiently. The introduction of “memory catalysis” in the photocatalytic-activating PMS system can further improve the catalytic degradation ability in the dark environment, because the stored electrons (e−1) during photocatalytic process can release in darkness to continue the degradation. In this paper, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets on titanium dioxide/nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (T/NC/MoS2 NFs) were prepared by electrospinning and hydrothermal treatment, and then silver (Ag) nanoparticles were deposited by photodeposition (PD) or dark deposition (DD) to form T/NC/MoS2@Ag NFs-PD and T/NC/MoS2@Ag NFs-DD, respectively. The influences of the two samples on the degradation of tetracycline (TC) and “memory catalysis” in photocatalytic-activating PMS systems were explored. The results show that T/NC/MoS2@Ag NFs-DD can remove TC more efficiently and reduce energy consumption. This is because the DD technology can effectively inhibit the growth and aggregation of Ag nanoparticles, thereby improving the e−1 storage capacity and the separation of photogenerated e−1 and holes (h+). Under outdoor solar irradiation, T/NC/MoS2@Ag NFs-DD showed excellent stability and high efficiency in catalytic degradation of a variety of organic pollutants. This study provides a new strategy to realize the efficient and energy-saving degradation of organic pollutants.

Nickel Metallaphotoredox Buchwald–Hartwig Amination Reactions: A Perspective on Irradiation Light Wavelength

AbstractThe construction of C−N bonds is considered one of the most useful reactions in synthetic chemistry due to their widespread presence in pharmaceuticals, natural products, etc. Pd‐catalyzed Buchwald–Hartwig amination (BHA) has provided the most efficient method to form (hetero)aryl amines but it required strong base and sophisticated ligands. In comparison, the combination of photocatalysis and nickel chemistry has revolutionized catalytic strategies and is emerging as a quintessence to realize BHA, termed as Ni‐metallaphotoredox BHA. To pursue a universal protocol, diverse photocatalysts were designed and employed in Ni‐metallaphotoredox BHA, and smoothly promoted C−N bond formations under irradiation of light from ultraviolet to red light, respectively. Note that the matching of photocatalyst and light was critical for success. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on the discussion of Ni‐metallaphotoredox BHA according to the irradiation light's wavelength, covering ultraviolet, purple, blue, red, and white light as well as solar light. We try to find a clue in the relationship of structure‐photophysical behaviors of photocatalysts under the same or different irradiation light. At last, current limitations and potential trends for advancing Ni‐metallaphotoredox BHA are highlighted. We deem that it could encourage chemists to continue designing suitable photocatalyst for C−N bond formations under sunlight mimicking plants’ photosynthesis.

Integrating g-C3N4 nanosheets with MOF-derived porous CoFe2O4 to form an S-scheme heterojunction for efficient pollutant degradation via the synergy of photocatalysis and peroxymonosulfate activation

When confronted with wastewater that is characterized by complex composition, stable molecular structure, and high concentration, relying solely on photocatalytic technology proves inadequate in achieving satisfactory degradation results. Therefore, the integration of other highly efficient degradation techniques has emerged as a viable approach to address this challenge. Herein, a novel strategy was employed whereby the exfoliated g-C3N4 nanosheets (CNs) with exceptional photocatalytic performance, were intimately combined with porous rod-shaped cobalt ferrite (CFO) through a co-calcination process to form the composite CFO/CNs, which exhibited remarkable efficacy in the degradation of various organic pollutants through the combination of photocatalysis and Fenton-like process synergistically, exemplified by the representative case of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH, 200 mL, 50 mg/L). Specifically, under 1 mM of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and illumination conditions, 50 mg of 1CFO/9CNs achieved a TCH removal ratio of ∼90% after 60 min of treatment. Furthermore, this work comprehensively investigated the influence of various factors, including catalyst and PMS dosages, solution pH, and the presence of anions and humate, on the degradation efficiency of pollutants. Besides, quenching experiments and EPR tests confirmed the establishment of an S-scheme heterojunction between CNs and CFO, which facilitated the effective spatial separation of photoexcited charge carriers and preserved the potent redox potential of photogenerated electrons and holes. This work offers a valuable reference for the integration of photocatalysis with the PMS-based Fenton-like process.

Efficiently removal of tetracycline via synergistic photocatalysis with Fenton reaction with biochar/FeOOH

The combination of photocatalysis and the Fenton reaction has been recognized as a promising technology for the removal of antibiotics from wastewater. In this study, the growth of magnetic recyclable FeOOH nanoneedles on the surface of biochar (BC) was realized by carbonization and hydrothermal two step method for efficient treatment of antibiotic wastewater. The introduction of BC not only increases the light absorption performance but also accelerates the transfer and separation efficiency of the interface photogenerated charge, further improving the photocatalytic performance. BC/FeOOH displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with BC or FeOOH. Importantly, BC/FeOOH demonstrated promoted photo-Fenton catalytic performance, achieving 92 % of TC degradation rate in presence of H2O2 under the visible light irradiation with 90 min, compared to the photocatalytic efficiency of BC/FeOOH (70 % of TC) without H2O2, attributing to the presence of H2O2 promoted the recycling of Fe3+/Fe2+. Moreover, the O2− and h+ were found to be the important active species, and the potential degradation mechanism and pathway were investigated. Furthermore, magnetic BC/FeOOH demonstrated remarkable reusability and excellent cycling capability. The present study offers valuable insights into the development of a photocatalysis-Fenton synergy system for the effective decontamination of antibiotic wastewater.

Crystal engineering of TiO2 enhanced photothermal catalytic degradation of DEHP on Pt catalysts

The crystal engineering of metal oxide supports aims to enhance the performance of precious metal catalysts in semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as one of the representative SVOCs in indoor environments, has become a research hotspot in recent years. For the catalytic oxidation of DEHP, Pt/TiO2 catalysts were prepared on supports of TiO2 with different crystalline phases (mixed phase (P25), anatase, and rutile). P25 exhibits a higher PtOx content due to its unique mixed crystalline phase, giving the best catalytic performance of the synthesized catalyst through light, thermal and photothermal catalytic experiments. The degradation of DEHP is optimized by a combination of photocatalysis and thermal catalysis. The intermediates and degradation pathways were analyzed through GC-MS and other characterization methods, and the possible degradation pathways were schematically studied. This work provides the possibility to rationalize the design of photothermal catalysts for SVOC removal.

CuFeS2 supported on dendritic mesoporous silica-titania for persulfate-assisted degradation of sulfamethoxazole under visible light

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a prevalent sulfonamide antibiotic found in the environment, and it has a variety of detrimental effects on environmental sustainability and water safety. Recently, the combination of photocatalysis and sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) has attracted a lot of interest as a viable technique for degradation of refractory pollutants. In this study, a visible light active CuFeS2 supported on dendritic mesoporous silica-titania (CuFeS2-DMST) photocatalyst was synthesized to improve the ability of TiO2 to activate persulfate (PS) by introducing CuFeS2 (Fe2+/Fe3+, Cu+/Cu2+ redox cycles). The CuFeS2-DMST/PS/Vis system demonstrated superior SMX degradation efficiency (88.9%, 0.0146 min−1) than TiO2 because of reduced e-/h+ recombination, excellent charge separation and mobility, and a greater surface area than TiO2. Furthermore, after four consecutive photocatalytic cycles, the system demonstrated moderate stability. From chemical quenching tests, O2●-, h+, 1O2, SO4●- and ●OH were found to be the main reactive oxidizing species. The formed intermediates during the degradation process were identified, and degradation mechanisms were proposed. This study proposes a viable technique for activating PS using a low-cost, stable, and high-surface-area TiO2-based photocatalyst, and this concept can be applied to design photocatalysts for water treatment.

Investigation of the synergistic effect of hydrogen peroxide and ultrasound on the photocatalytic treatment under visible light of dyes wastewater

A photocatalytic process under visible light irradiation (LED lamp 13 W) assisted by ultrasound and hydrogen peroxide was investigated, aiming at enhancing the hydroxyl radical production compared to simple photocatalysis. Several parameters, including ultrasound power and H2O2 concentration, were investigated in the degradation of Rhodamine B. Fe doped TiO2 synthesized by the solid-state method was used as the photocatalyst. The synergistic effects between photocatalysis, ultrasound, and H2O2 were studied, and the absence of synergy between photocatalysis and ultrasound was demonstrated. Instead, a synergistic effect was observed between photocatalysis and hydrogen peroxide addition, in fact, the combination of photocatalysis with H2O2 was demonstrated to totally remove the Rhodamine B (5 ppm) in 2 h, as contaminant removal was greater (by 50 %) when the two treatments were used simultaneously than the removal observed in the individual treatments, attributable to the Fenton reaction that promoted the hydroxyl radicals production.

Robust Light Driven Enzymatic Oxyfunctionalization Via Immobilization of Unspecific Peroxygenase.

Unspecific peroxygenases have attracted interest in synthetic chemistry, especially for the oxidative activation of C-H bonds, as they only require hydrogen peroxide instead of a cofactor. Due to their instability in even small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, different strategies like enzyme immobilization or in situ hydrogen peroxide production have been developed to improve the stability of these enzymes. While most strategies have been studied separately, a combination of photocatalysis with immobilized enzymes has not been reported so far. To show the advantages and limiting factors of immobilized enzyme in a photobiocatalytic reaction, a comparison is made between free and immobilized enzymes. Adjustment of critical parameters such as (i) enzyme and substrate concentration, (ii) illumination wavelength and (iii) light intensity results in significantly increased enzyme stabilities of the immobilized variant.

Ultra-high selective recovery of Cu2+ and Ni2+ by a combination of photocatalysis and adsorption from electroless plating wastewater

Ultra-high selective recovery of Cu2+ and Ni2+ by a combination of photocatalysis and adsorption from electroless plating wastewater

Iron phthalocyanine nanodots decorated ultra-thin porous carbon nitride: A combination of photocatalysis and Fenton reaction to achieve two-channel efficient tetracycline degradation

Recent years, many scholars have been greatly intrigued by the large amounts of emerging antibiotics pollutants (such as tetracycline, penicillin, etc.) in natural water environments. Photo-Fenton oxidation, a highly advanced oxidation technique, has been seen as a promising way to effectively break down these pollutants by generating a great deal of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, iron phthalocyanine nanodots (FePc)/ultra-thin porous carbon nitride (UPCN) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by thermal polymerization and calcination processes. In the system with a small amount (10 μL) of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and natural pH conditions, the 1%-FePc/UPCN nanocatalcatalyst had the best degradation effect, and the TC removal rate reached 89% within 20 min and 99% within 60 min. The excellent performance of the nano-composites is ascribed to the large surface area, multiple active sites, small pore size, easy excitation and fast transfers of photogenerated carriers induced by π-π bond. In addition, the improvement of the degradation of TC is also due to the synergistic effect of the photocatalytic reaction center dominated by UPCN and Fenton reaction center dominated by FePc in the system, simultaneously. In this study, a synergistic dual-reaction center catalytic system was constructed to provide new insights and strategies for the degradation of organic pollutants in natural water environments.

Application of g-C3N4-PVDF membrane for the photocatalytic degradation of micropollutants in continuous flow mode: Impact of water matrix

The combination of photocatalysis with membrane separation technology allows to mitigate potential membrane fouling while degrading the organic micropollutants in water. This work is focused on the immobilization of a g-C3N4 promising photocatalyst, in the form of a g-C3N4-PVDF polymeric membrane, for the elimination of representative pharmaceutical substances from complex water matrices in a continuous flow mode under visible light irradiation. Metoprolol (MTP), venlafaxine (VEN) and diclofenac (DCF) in a mixture (at 250 μg L−1 each) were fed to the system at room temperature. The adsorption of these substances on the membrane was negligible (< 5%) in the dark. Removals of 89%, 92% and 72% for MTP, VEN and DCF, respectively, were achieved in deionized water using visible-light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light source. Moreover, the permeate flux remained constant throughout the experiments (89.5 L m−2 h−1). The membrane system was then assessed using urban wastewater treatment plant effluent, surface and tap waters, spiked with the target analytes. As expected, a worse performance was observed with these matrices, although still high removals were achieved in tap water (73%, 61% and 75%, respectively for MTP, VEN and DCF). Accordingly, the impact of the occurrence of humic acid as representative species of natural organic matter, as well as inorganic ions such as chlorides, sulphates, phosphates and carbonates, was evaluated in more detail. Clearly, humic acid and sulphates were the most impactful on the treatment performance. Finally, different scavengers were used to understand the photocatalytic mechanism, suggesting that superoxide radicals and photogenerated holes were the main active species involved in the removal of the studied micropollutants.