Impact of photocatalysis, carriers and environmental factors on microorganisms in the intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation system: A review

Intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) is a promising wastewater treatment technology that synergizes photocatalytic reaction with biodegradation to enhance the removal of refractory contaminants in wastewater. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of photocatalysis, carriers and environmental factors on microorganisms in the ICPB system is meaningful for improving the degradation efficiency of the ICPB system. We reviewed the effects of multiple factors on microorganisms in the ICPB system. These mainly include the mechanism of microbial damage by photocatalysis, the effects of carriers on microbial distribution, composition and community structure, and the impact of carriers on microbial loading and film formation rates. In addition, we summarized the inhibitory or facilitatory effects of the external environment on microbial activity and metabolism. Subsequently, the possible future research directions for the ICPB are proposed. This review can provide a useful resource for research on ICPB systems in the environmental and chemical fields.