State-of-the-art review on photocatalysis for efficient wastewater treatment: Attractive approach in photocatalyst design and parameters affecting the photocatalytic degradation

Abstract

This review focuses on recently proposed photocatalyst designs for maximizing the efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers to improve the photocatalytic performance of photocatalysts. These designs include doping with metal and non-metal ions, surface grafting, noble metal deposition, dye sensitization, and heterostructure fabrication. In addition, this review thoroughly examines all the prominent parameters that can influence the degradation efficiency of photocatalysts. Furthermore, this review summarizes the energy-band structures of photocatalysts that are suitable for both O2 reduction and the oxidation of surface H2O molecules to generate reactive oxygen species. Lastly, we discuss future trends in the development of photocatalysts for environmental applications.