Modulation of Z-scheme photocatalysts for pharmaceuticals remediation and pathogen inactivation: Design devotion, concept examination, and developments

[Display omitted] •Review of Z-scheme mechanism for pharmaceutical degradation and pathogen inactivation.•Verification of Z-scheme mechanisms was explored.•Persulfate activation by Z-scheme displayed better performance owing to synergy.•Future considerations for successful exploration of Z-scheme heterojunctions are highlighted. The recent outbreak of Covid-19 guarantees overconsumption of different drugs as a necessity to reduce the symptoms caused by this pandemic. This triggers the proliferation of pharmaceuticals into drinking water systems. Is there any hope for access to safe drinking water? Photocatalytic degradation using artificial Z-scheme photocatalysts that has been employed for over a decade conveys a prospect for sustainable clean water supply. It is compelling to comprehensively summarise the state-of-the-art effects of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems towards the removal of pharmaceuticals in water. The principle of Z-scheme and the techniques used to validate the Z-scheme interfacial charge transfer are explored in detail. The application of the Z-scheme photocatalysts towards the degradation of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and bacterial/viral inactivation is deliberated. Conclusions and stimulating standpoints on the challenges of this emergent research direction are presented. The insights and up-to-date information will prompt the up-scaling of Z- scheme photocatalytic systems for commercialization.