BACKGROUNDTo decontaminate sites of pollutants, fuel cell and bio-electrochemical fuel cell reactors can degrade pollutants and generate electricity simultaneously, potentially decrease cost, energy consumptions and treatment cycle. In this study, a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) and PEC-MFC (integrated photo-electro-catalysis with microbial fuel cell) were investigated to decontaminate sand/water polluted by RhB, antibiotics and heavy metal ions. RESULTSIn the PFC, paired electrodes with ZnIn2S4-AgAgCl/GO or ZnIn2S4-RGO/MnO2, effectively removed pollutants in sand/water. The removal of RhB was 95.6% in 100min with an external resistance of 1 under aeration. Adding cyclo-dextrin increased pollutant removals, realized 66% removal of RhB in overlying water, and significant removal in sand after 5h, and 70% removal of tetracycline in overlying water, but only 60% without cyclodextrin after 4h. Adding KMnO4 and NaHSO3 promoted decontamination of tetracycline from sand/water, tetracycline in water was almost completely degraded in 3.5h with the addition, but only about 65% without any addition. In the PEC-MFC, integrating photo-electro-catalytic electrode with bio-anode, Cr(VI) in the cathode chamber was reduced rapidly and the concentration of RhB in sand decreased quickly, nearly complete in 2h. The Cr(VI) in sand was reduced in several hours, so that, compared with previous reports, the treatment time is significantly shortened. CONCLUSIONThe PFC and PEC-MFC systems are successful in decontaminating sand/water in polluted sites and are cost-effective and sustainable methods. By building an on-site or off-site system with washing and cycling of the liquid stream, it could be a convenient remediation method for polluted sites. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry