Cathode Materials for Photocatalytic Fuel Cells: Design Strategies, Reaction Mechanisms, and Wastewater Treatment Applications

Photocatalytic fuel cells (PFCs) integrate photocatalysis with fuel cell technology to enable simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. This review examines recent advances in PFC cathode materials, focusing on design strategies, reduction mechanisms, and applications. The cathode governs electron transfer and interfacial reactions, including oxygen reduction (4e− or 2e− pathways), direct pollutant electroreduction, and oxidant activation for radical generation. Cathodic materials including transition metal oxides/sulfides, carbon-based materials, metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives, are systematically summarized, evaluating their respective activities, stabilities and costs. Rational design via heterojunction engineering, defect modulation, and composite construction enables tunable reaction pathways and enhanced performance. Furthermore, representative applications are reviewed, with particular attention to the effective degradation of organic pollutants, and reduction of heavy metals and radionuclides in PFCs. Future efforts should prioritize long-term stability, scalable fabrication, and multi-functional cathode integration.