Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations


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Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 10-35
    By

    Babatunde Alabi,

  1. Assistant professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, , Nigeria

Abstract

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The Industrial Revolution significantly enhanced living standards but also led to severe environmental degradation, making pollution a critical concern for both developed and developing nations. Photocatalysis, a light-driven chemical process, accelerates thermodynamically demanding reactions, such as photosynthesis, offering a promising alternative for deep solar energy storage. This method also minimizes chemical exposure and reduces environmental pollutants generated by industrial activities. A key advantage of photocatalysis is its ability to replace high-temperature pollution removal processes with more energy-efficient, low-temperature alternatives, thereby conserving fossil fuel resources.Various photocatalytic materials, including AgCl, P-doped g-C₃N₄, and Z-scheme photocatalysts coupled with Fe₃O₄/H₂O₂, have gained attention due to their multiple valence states and high catalytic efficiency. A critical focus of this review is the Z-scheme strategy, which enhances electron transport pathways by forming heterojunctions with optimal band alignments, thereby improving the photocatalytic activity of MnO₂. The article explores recent advancements in photocatalysis, MnO₂-based composite materials, and the Z-scheme charge carrier mechanism.Additionally, the electrical, photoelectric, and crystallographic properties of MnO₂ are examined, emphasizing the significance of the Z-scheme electron transfer process in enhancing photocatalytic performance. Various electron transport pathways in MnO₂-based composites are investigated using different characterization techniques to provide deeper insights into the Z-scheme mechanism. This review comprehensively discusses the fundamental principles, processes, and materials in photocatalysis, highlighting its potential for environmental sustainability and energy-efficient applications.

Keywords: Photocatalysis, Z-scheme mechanism, MnO₂-based composites, Heterojunctions, Electron transport pathways.

[This article belongs to International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research (ijppr)]

How to cite this article:
Babatunde Alabi. Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations. International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research. 2025; 03(01):10-35.
How to cite this URL:
Babatunde Alabi. Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations. International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research. 2025; 03(01):10-35. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijppr/article=2025/view=0


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 07/02/2025
Accepted 11/02/2025
Published 12/02/2025
94