A Versatile Material: Perovskite Bismuth Ferrite Microparticles as a Potential Catalyst for Enhancing Fuel Efficiency and Degradation of Various Organic Dyes

A Review on Nanomaterial as Photocatalysts for Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Eliminating hazardous organic contaminants from water is a major concern today. Nanomaterials with their textural features, large surface area, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties make them efficient for the removal and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The reaction mechanisms of the photocatalytic oxidation of common organic pollutants were critically examined. A detailed review of articles published on photocatalytic degradation of hydrocarbons, pesticides, and dyes was presented therein. This review seeks to bridge information gaps on the reported nanomaterial as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants under sub-headings, nanomaterials, organic pollutants, degradation of organic pollutants, and mechanisms of photocatalytic activities.

Mechanism and efficiency of photocatalytic triclosan degradation by TiO2/BiFeO3 nanomaterials

Hierarchical porous TiO₂ photocatalytic nanomaterials were fabricated by impregnation and calcination using a peanut shell biotemplate, and TiO₂/BiFeO₃ composite nanomaterials with different doping amounts were fabricated using hydrothermal synthesis. The micromorphology, structure, element composition and valence state of the photocatalyst were analyzed using a series of characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), BET surface area (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-vis), fluorescence spectroscopy (PL) and other technological means. Finally, the degradation mechanism and efficiency of BiFeO₃ composite photocatalyst on the target pollutant triclosan were analyzed using a xenon lamp to simulate sunlight. The results showed that TiO₂/BiFeO₃ catalyst fabricated using a peanut shell biotemplate has a specific surface area of 153.64 m²/g, a band gap of 1.92 eV, and forms heterostructures. The optimum doping amount of TiO₂/BiFeO₃ catalyst was 1 mol/mol, and the degradation rate was 81.2%. The main active substances degraded were ·O₂^-and ·OH. The degradation process measured is consistent with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model.

Photocatalysis and perovskite oxide-based materials: a remedy for a clean and sustainable future

The massive use of non-renewable energy resources by humankind to fulfill their energy demands is causing severe environmental issues. Photocatalysis is considered one of the potential solutions for a clean and sustainable future because of its cleanliness, inexhaustibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Significant efforts have been made to design highly proficient photocatalyst materials for various applications such as water pollutant degradation, water splitting, CO2 reduction, and nitrogen fixation. Perovskite photocatalyst materials are gained special attention due to their exceptional properties because of their flexibility in chemical composition, structure, bandgap, oxidation states, and valence states. The current review is focused on perovskite materials and their applications in photocatalysis. Special attention has been given to the structural, stoichiometric, and compositional flexibility of perovskite photocatalyst materials. The photocatalytic activity of perovskite materials in different photocatalysis applications is also discussed. Various mechanisms involved in photocatalysis application from wastewater treatment to hydrogen production are also provided. The key objective of this review is to encapsulate the role of perovskite materials in photocatalysis along with their fundamental properties to provide valuable insight for addressing future environmental challenges.