14 - Conductive polymer-based composite photocatalysts for environment and energy applications

Abstract

Photocatalysis is an important technique that has been used to degrade/separate numerous pollutants from wastewater and for the generation of green energy such as clean hydrogen by splitting of water. In general, titanium dioxide-based photocatalyst is used in photocatalysis because of its nontoxicity, mechanical stability, high photocatalytic activity, and low price. Moreover, its large bandgap and high charge carrier recombination lead to poor photocatalytic activity. To overcome these limitations, photocatalyst based on conducting polymers (CPs) have come into the picture because it provides unique one-dimensional delocalized-electrons in their structures and has been exploited in numerous energy and environmental applications. This chapter highlights the modern developments in the improvement and characterization of photocatalyst based on CP for environment and energy applications. The detailed mechanism of photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen production is also explored. A detailed discussion of the various methods to synthesize and modify the CPs is presented here. The various challenges and future prospects of the photocatalyst based on CPs for environment and energy applications are also sightseen.