Abstract
The rapid advancement of the global industry has led to energy shortage and environmental pollution. To mitigate against these issues, researchers and scientists are developing simple and efficient techniques. Among these, semiconductor photocatalysis has gained widespread attention as a pivotal solution to energy scarcity and environmental protection. The specific surface area (SSA), band gap energy, and morphology of the materials are the key factors for photocatalysis, and it influences the photocatalytic property. Irradiation of photocatalysts generates holes and electrons. Holes are present in the valence band (VB,) and they undergo oxidation reaction to produce hydroxyl radicals (.OH). Electrons in the conduction band go through a reduction process, and they react with oxygen in the air to produce superoxide radical anions (O2−.). These active radicals degrade the toxic organic compounds to produce H2O and CO2. Several approaches have been utilized to improve the photocatalytic activity of visible light photocatalysts. They include doping, structural control, phase transfer, band gap regulation, and surface sensitization. The major characteristics of efficient photocatalysts include non-toxicity, photoactivity, and inertness to chemical and biological matters, photostability, ability to absorb near UV/visible regions, and cost-effectiveness. Herein, major semiconductor photocatalytic materials, namely, TiO2, ZnO, WO3, SiC, CuO, CdS, PbS, and SnO2, are elaborately discussed. Most of the recent advances in photocatalysis, as well as properties and applications of the photocatalytic materials are also discussed.
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•The growth of global industries contributes to energy shortfalls and pollution.•Semiconductor photocatalysis is a veritable tool to combat these menaces.•SSA, band gap energy, and material morphology influence photocatalytic activity.•Some merits of efficient photocatalysts include non-toxicity and photostability.