Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 08 18
    By

    Babatunde Alabi,

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

Abstract

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 ]

How to cite this article:
Babatunde Alabi. Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations. International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research. 2025; 03(01):08-18.
How to cite this URL:
Babatunde Alabi. Photocatalysis Unveiled: Fundamentals, Mechanisms, and Material Innovations. International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research. 2025; 03(01):08-18. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijppr/article=2025/view=198114


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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
Publication Time 5 Days
316

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