Recent Developments of Electrospinning-Based Photocatalysts in Degradation of Organic Pollutants: Principles and Strategies

Abstract

Electrospinning is a simple and cheap process for forming one-dimensional (1D) nanofibers with controllable size, morphology, and chemistry. Besides these, the ultrahigh surface area with industrialization capability has attracted extensive interest in the research community. On the other hand, a photocatalytic process is a promising method for degrading organic pollutants that cannot be removed by conventional wastewater treatment. This review focuses on the recent progress of electrospun nanofibers for the photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants. The linkage between the electrospinning technique and the photocatalytic process is classified into two main categories: (1) polymeric electrospun nanofibers as a sacrificed template to form 1D photocatalysts and (2) polymeric electrospun nanofibers as a carrier of photocatalyst materials. We have thoroughly discussed the principles and fundamental issues of electrospinning as well as two main strategies to design and fabricate nanofiberbased photocatalysts for the ideal photodegradation of organics pollutants. The results of data mapping using VOSviewer demonstrated the recent trend and the importance of this field among researchers and engineers. Moreover, we have elaborated on the limitations and potential benefits of the two categories of electrospinning-based photocatalyst fabrication and practical application that will open new directions for future research.

Interfacial Control at Janus WSSe/Triazine g-C3N4 Heterostructures in Developing Type-II and Z-Scheme Photocatalysts

“…The other case band alignment is water splitting reactions with appropriate energy levels and on the tg-C 3 N 4 side of the tg-C 3 N 4 /SWSe heterostructure, which exhibits a Z-scheme heterojunction. It is well known that Z-scheme and type-II band alignments are more efficient than type-I heterojunction for photocatalytic reactions due to better spatial separation of electron–hole pairs …”

“…It is well known that Z-scheme and type-II band alignments are more efficient than type-I heterojunction for photocatalytic reactions due to better spatial separation of electron−hole pairs. 55 A multitude of research have shown that electronic and optical features of 2D heterostructures are tunable by applying electric field 56,57 and strain. 58 In the following, we examined, first, the influence of biaxial in-plane strain and, then, the influence of perpendicular electric field on electronic band structures (or equivalently, energy levels) of the designed heterostructures regarding photocatalytic performance.…”

Degradation Efficiency of Organic Dyes on CQDs As Photocatalysts: A Review

“…The excitation of electrons results in a charge pair (an electron in the conduction band and a hole generated in the valence band) . This charge pair created in the catalyst results in the breakdown of different organic and inorganic pollutants as the excited electron gets transferred to the substrate causing a chain of various chemical reactions and turning the substrate e.g., organic dyes into smaller nonharmful constituents such as water and carbon dioxide . Metal semiconductors are the most widely used photocatalysts; however, certain metals, such as Pb and Co, are hazardous to human health and the environment.…”

“… 36 This charge pair created in the catalyst results in the breakdown of different organic and inorganic pollutants as the excited electron gets transferred to the substrate causing a chain of various chemical reactions and turning the substrate e.g., organic dyes into smaller nonharmful constituents such as water and carbon dioxide. 37 Metal semiconductors are the most widely used photocatalysts; however, certain metals, such as Pb and Co, are hazardous to human health and the environment. Consequently, photocatalysts with no metals, such as graphene QDs, carbon QDs, and carbon nitrite QDs, have garnered significant attention.…”