An Integrated Self-Powered Photoelectrocatalytic System for Quadruple-Function Water Remediation: Organic Degradation, Radionuclide Recycling, Energy Recovery, and Toxicity Evaluation

The pervasive prevalence of organic pollutants in water bodies presents major obstacles to traditional uranic recovery methods. Herein, a novel self-powered catalytic system has been developed, featuring a TGCNM heterojunction cathode paired with a carbon/chitin nanofilm nanoarray (CNF) and a silicon PVC photovoltaic (Si PVC) photoanode. This advanced assembly enables the concurrent reduction of U(VI), degradation of pollutants, and generation of electricity. The synergy between the functional groups and redox-active sites on the TGCNM heterojunction promotes efficient adsorption and stepwise reduction of U(VI), granting the system remarkable cycling stability and promising real-world applicability. When exposed to simulated sunlight, the system demonstrates impressive removal rates: 96.7% for UO22+ and 97.7% for bisphenol A (BPA). Additionally, U(VI) removal remains above 90.2% in various organic environments, illustrating strong resistance to interference. Even after five consecutive cycles, the system retains high performance (>93.9% for U(VI) and >94.3% for BPA). Under actual solar irradiation, removal efficiencies exceed 95.8% for both contaminants, underscoring its practical value. This study offers innovative perspectives on resource-focused strategies for remediating radioactive and organic-contaminated waters by integrating energy production and water treatment.