Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation of Organics Under Visible Light Illumination: A Short Review

Research towards the establishment of photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of organics as an advanced oxidation method for the degradation of organic pollutants (sometimes coupled with the production of hydrogen or electric energy) is reviewed. Apart from the principles and the historical background of the method, special emphasis is given to its applicability under visible light illumination. To that direction, the photoanode materials that show visible light activity are reviewed. These can be classified as single component semiconductors, bi-component semiconductors and modified TiO2-materials. The latter include non-metal-doped (e.g. C-, N-, S-doped) as well as metal-decorated (e.g. Pt-, Au-, Ag-decorated) TiO2 oxide powders or nanotubes. Studies aimed at testing the activity of these materials towards model organic compounds oxidation as well as actual pollutants are presented. The potential of the method, especially for air treatment and for simultaneous energy and/or hydrogen production is emphasized.