A review on optimizing photocatalytic performance for effective removal of emerging pollutants: Approaches and applications

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering 2025-01, Vol.69, p.106883, Article 106883
• Main Authors: Kamalesh, R., Saravanan, A., Ragini, Y.P., Vickram, A.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dye; Environmental sustainability; Heterojunction; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106883

Water pollution has become a critical global issue due to rapid population growth, industrialization, and climate change. This has driven the development of advanced techniques for wastewater remediation. Water pollutants, including dyes, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, are toxic and carcinogenic, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. Photocatalysis stands out from conventional treatment methods due to its key advantages, including non-toxicity, high stability, absence of mass transfer limitations, the ability to harness solar light as an irradiation source, and operation at ambient temperatures. Additionally, it requires no additional chemicals, making it a sustainable and cost-effective solution. These features make photocatalysis a promising and innovative approach for addressing wastewater pollutants, particularly those resistant to traditional treatment techniques. This study explores strategies for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency and identifies heterojunction formation as the most effective approach. This strategy improves charge separation and broadens light absorption, especially under visible or solar light. The key findings include the current application of photocatalysis in dye remediation, with the potential for future use in addressing persistent organic pollutants. The ability to degrade these harmful substances could significantly contribute to sustainable environmental management. This study concludes by highlighting the limitations of photocatalysis and outlines future research directions, including optimizing photocatalytic materials and expanding their use to treat emerging pollutants. [Display omitted] •Enhanced photocatalytic activity for effective pollutant removal has been reviewed.•Mechanism and factors influencing photocatalysis were also emphasized.•The enhancement strategies in photocatalysis have been comprehended.•Application, limitations and future directions of photocatalysis were also discussed.