Nanocatalysts for the Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants

Abstract

Industrial and other anthropogenic activities lead to increase in persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in natural water bodies. POPs are harmful to not only the aquatic ecosystem but also human health. Researchers around the globe have been working to develop efficient, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly methods for the treatment of contaminated waters. The chapter basically focuses on the removal of POPs by catalytic advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using nontoxic metal oxides of d-block elements such as TiO2, ZnO, MnO2 and iron oxides nanomaterials and composites with different counterparts. An insight into the fundamentals of photocatalysis is highlighted. This chapter would bestow an opportunity to evaluate the underlying prospects of the methods involving AOPs used for the degradation of POPs dissolved in water.