Photocatalysis Using Metal Oxides

Abstract

The quest to improve the standard of living culminates in the global water crisis, largely fueled by industrialization and urbanization. This, therefore, called for an innovative and sustainable water remediation strategy. The adoption of metal oxides (MOs) photocatalytic material for addressing critical environmental challenges, particularly in water and wastewater treatment and pollution remediation has emerged as a promising and sustainable technology. MOs are utilized as efficient photocatalysts due to their electronic structures, stability, and resistance to photo-corrosion. These photosensitive material generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that facilitates the degradation of a wide range of organic contaminants. Recent advancements have focused on enhancing the photocatalytic performance of MOs through several techniques such as doping, heterojunction formation, and morphological design. Albeit, light absorption efficiency and scalability remain major challenges. As such, this chapter gives insight into the fundamental principles and mechanisms of photocatalysis, strategies for enhancing photocatalytic activity, applications of MO]photocatalysis, current challenges in MO photocatalysis, and future perspectives with research directions. Thus, presenting MOs as a cornerstone of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical wastewater treatment technologies.