Synergistic remediation: Integrated adsorption and degradation techniques for multiphase environmental decontamination

Abstract

This review critically examines integrated adsorption–degradation strategies for the remediation of air, water, and soil contaminants, with emphasis on recent advances reported since 2020. Rather than treating adsorption and degradation as standalone processes, the review highlights how adsorption functions as an effective pretreatment step that enhances degradation efficiency by increasing the pollutant concentration at reactive interfaces, improving mass transfer, and stabilizing reactive species. Comparative analyses across environmental media have shown that most studies target aqueous systems, while integrated approaches for air and soil remain underexplored. Representative systems—including TiO2-based photocatalysts, MOF-supported Fenton-like catalysts, and biochar-assisted electrochemical electrodes—demonstrate improved removal efficiency, reaction kinetics, and material reusability compared with single-process treatments. Key mechanisms underlying adsorption–degradation synergy are discussed, along with material design strategies that enable multifunctionality. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps in multiphase systems, real-field applications, and medium-specific optimization and outlines future research directions toward scalable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable remediation technologies aligned with global sustainability goals. This review aligns with SDGs 6, 11, 12, 13, and 15 to promote clean water, sustainable urban environments, responsible production, climate action, and land restoration. Graphical Abstract