Investigation of TiO2/PPy nanocomposite for photocatalytic applications; synthesis, characterization, and combination with various substrates: a review

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2024-06, Vol.31 (30), p.42521-42546
• Main Authors: Jamali Alyani, Sedigheh, Dadvand Koohi, Ahmad, Ashraf Talesh, S. Siamak, Ebrahimian Pirbazari, Azadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Conducting polymers; Contaminants; Current carriers; Degradation; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Electrochemistry; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Photodegradation; Polymerization; Polymers; Polypyrroles; Production methods; Review Article; Solar energy; Substrates; Surface charge; Sustainable energy; Synthesis; Titanium dioxide; Waste Water Technology; Wastewater treatment; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33893-8

The use of photocatalysis technology, specifically visible light photocatalysis that relies on sustainable solar energy, is the most promising for the degradation of contaminants. The interaction of conducting polymer and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) leads to the exchange that enhances the alteration of the semiconductor's surface and subsequently decreases the bandgap energy. Polypyrrole (PPy) and TiO 2 nanocomposites have promising potential for photocatalytic degradation. Chemically and electrochemical polymerization are two predominant methods for adding inorganic nanoparticles to a conducting polymer host matrix. The most commonly utilized method for producing PPy/TiO 2 nanocomposites is the in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization technique. Immobilizing PPy/TiO 2 on substrates causes more charge carriers (electron/hole pairs) to be produced on the surface of TiO 2 and enhances the rate of photocatalytic degradation compared to pure TiO 2 . The increased surface charge affects how electron/hole pairs are formed when visible light is used. This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the synthesis, characterization, application, efficiency, and mechanism of PPy/TiO 2 nanocomposites in the photocatalytic degradation process of various pollutants. Furthermore, the effect of stabilizing the TiO 2 /PPy nanocomposite on various substrates will be investigated. In conclusion, the review outlines the ongoing challenges in utilizing these photocatalysts and highlights the essential concerns that require attention in future research. Its objective is to help researchers better understand photocatalysts and encourage their use in wastewater treatment. Graphical abstract