Photocatalytic Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water using Metal Oxide-based Nanoparticles

Water contamination resulting from industrial and anthropogenic activities is a major problem in many countries throughout the world. Effective water treatment technologies are necessary to address this issue. Emerging pollutants (EPs) are reaching the aquatic environments from point and diffuse sources constantly. These are the substances that are not regularly monitored, yet have the potential to infiltrate the environment and harm the ecosystem and human health. Because of their ecological and sustainable properties, interest in improved photocatalytic technologies based on metal oxide-based nanomaterials has grown tremendously over the years to address this water contamination. Pollutant degradation, water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction, and microbial inactivation are just a few of the applications of photocatalysis. However, to maintain its environmentally favourable status, new solutions must be found to assure long-term viability. Here we review, emerging organic pollutants, conventional water treatment, advanced oxidation methods, photocatalytic mechanisms, photocatalyst support materials, synthesis, and characterization of metal oxides and metal oxide nanoparticles in the removal of emerging contaminants. The purpose of this review is to reach a broader readership by giving a simple comprehension of the fundamentals and advances of metal-oxide-driven photocatalysis for environmental clean-up.