The Opportunities and Challenges of Using Nanomaterials as Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Environmental Pollutants

Environmental contamination, particularly resulting from industrial effluents, presents considerable risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Photocatalysis, a light-driven process effective in degrading a wide range of pollutants, is increasingly recognized for its potential to mitigate these contaminants. The application of nanomaterials, owing to their adjustable characteristics, provides promising advancements in photocatalysis under both ultraviolet and visible light, primarily through the suppression of charge carrier recombination. This review rigorously investigates various categories of nanomaterials—metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, and composites—as photocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants, concentrating on their operational mechanisms, effectiveness, and influencing factors in practical applications. By methodically scrutinizing recent progress and obstacles, we underscore critical domains where nanomaterials enhance photocatalytic efficiency, encompassing water splitting and the treatment of industrial wastewater. The objective is to furnish insights into prospective research trajectories that may facilitate the development of advanced environmental remediation technologies.