Interface functions of nanomaterials in AOPs for antibiotic removal: Mechanisms and environmental implications

ABSTRACT Antibiotic residues in aquatic environments are of great concern owing to their persistence, ecological toxicity and promotion of antimicrobial resistance. While advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are widely explored for antibiotic removal, their performance is essentially governed by surface and interfacial processes rather than bulk material properties. This review summarizes advances in nanomaterial-assisted AOPs for antibiotic degradation from an environmental interface science perspective, highlighting the solid–liquid interface as a functional platform integrating adsorption, electron transfer, oxidant activation and reaction pathway regulation. Nanomaterial interfaces are classified into photocatalytic, oxidant-activation and adsorption–reaction synergistic types based on their dominant roles. Key interfacial parameters (electronic structure, surface chemistry, reaction microenvironment, spatial confinement) are systematically discussed in association with reactive species generation and degradation pathways. Importantly, the review underscores how interfacial regulation addresses practical constraints (radical quenching, competitive adsorption, catalyst deactivation, secondary pollution) in realistic water matrices. By correlating interface structure with reaction mechanisms and environmental adaptability, this work offers mechanistic insights and design principles for surface-engineered nanomaterials to achieve efficient antibiotic remediation in complex aquatic systems.