Piezocatalysis as a Sustainable Solution for Microbial Eradication and Wastewater Treatment

1. Introduction to piezocatalysis (History and background of the origin of piezocatalysis, overview and scope wastewater treatment.) 2. Mechanisms of piezocatalysis (This chapter will explore the mechanism of action of piezoelectric materials. Piezocatalysis results from the interaction between the native electronic state of the piezoelectric material, the composition of the surrounding medium and the strain-induced piezoelectric potential. This chapter will describe the details of the deformation mechanism and the reactions followed in the process.) 3. Design and fabrication of piezo-responsive materials (According to requirements, the surface passivation and modifications are performed. For better outcome and piezoelectric effects, the β-phase of the piezoelectric materials are enhanced through various synthesis routes, which will be highlighted in this chapter.) 4. Synthetic polymers for piezocatalysis (Piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has become a favorable candidate in the field of piezocatalytic degradation of contaminants. Besides various polymorphs of PVDF, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) are also emerging as potential candidates. Various organic/ inorganic nanomaterials are incorporated in such synthetic polymer matrices for piezocatalysis.) 5. Biopolymers for piezocatalysis (Biopolymers such as chitin, collagen, cellulose, starch, keratin, and fibrin can convert mechanical energy and electrical energy. In the last decade various works on effluent treatment through piezocatalysis were conducted using such biopolymers.) 6. Ultrasonic energy-based piezocatalysis for wastewater treatment (Ultrasonic energy promotes catalytic degradation of various pollutants in water through ultrasonic-induced piezocatalysis. This chapter will provide insight to various factors like frequency, efficiency rate for vibration energy supplied by ultrasonic wave, water motion, etc that influences various piezocatalytic materials in ultrasonic-induced wastewater treatment.) 7. Mechanical stirring-based piezocatalysis for wastewater treatment (Certain piezocatalytic materials can directly utilize mechanical energy to drive chemical reactions in piezocatalysis. For example, sea waves, water ripples, waterfall, etc can be directly used in piezocatalysis for pollutant degradation in water.) 8. Piezocatalysis for removal of pesticides and pharmaceutical wastes from wastewater (Recently, various agricultural wastes (organic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, etc) contaminate water from runoff or leaching. Moreover, with the increase in pharmaceutical factories, the rate of water contamination from pharmaceutical wastes has also enhanced and is a concerning issue requiring immediate address. Piezocatalysis-based removal of such pollutants can be a futuristic solution and various works are ongoing in this regard.) 9. Piezocatalytic dye degradation from wastewater (External stress-induced charge separation and generation of reactive oxidant species (ROS) like superoxide radicals (•O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) by redox reactions can degrade organic pollutants like dyes and paints liberated from various industries like, tanneries, textiles, paper, food industry, etc. This chapter will also highlight the variation in the materials to target acidic and basic dyes.) 10. Piezocatalytic disinfection of wastewater (The piezocatalytic technique can also be useful in the elimination of pathogenic species, antifouling, microbial growth inhibition, or prevention of biofilm formation. Piezocatalysis induce microenvironmental alterations along with ROS generation that promote disinfection.) 11. Synergistic approach piezo-photocatalysis for wastewater treatment (This chapter will explore the various works that demonstrated combining piezocatalytic and photocatalytic approaches that contribute to synergy and improved charge transfer, resulting in effective wastewater treatment. This chapter will also highlight the parameters that contribute to synergy, rational design of piezo-photocatalysts, and practical applications.) 12. Piezocatalytic advances in industrial wastewater (This chapter will shed light to various polymers designed for piezocatalytic-based wastewater treatment from different industrial effluents.) 13. Challenges and future prospective (This chapter will highlight the limitations in industrial applications, future trends in piezocatalytic-based wastewater treatment, routes for improved efficiency, and biocompatibility with cost-effectiveness for better prospects in wastewater treatment.) 14. Conclusion