Role of Conducting Polymers in Enhancing TiO₂-based Photocatalytic Dye Degradation: A Short Review

Abstract

Research in the field of TiO₂-based photocatalysis has gained wide attention to address important energy and environmental problem. Lately, the use of conducting polymers as photosensitizers has proven to immensely enhance photodegradation by exhibiting excellent photocatalytic activity under both ultraviolet light and natural sunlight irradiation which is not possible using semiconductors alone. Considering the unique performance of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites in photocatalysis, the present review provides the recent advances in the development of ultraviolet and visible light-responsive conducting polymer-based TiO₂ nanocomposites for their potential application in environmental remediation. This review ends with a summary focusing on the challenges and new dimensions in this still emerging area of research.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Conducting polymers
• Degradation
• Dyes
• Environmental remediation
• Photocatalysis
• Photosensitizer