PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF TiO2 NANOMATERIAL

Nanomaterials synthesize by different techniques exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity. These catalysts could be employed for environmental remediation, renewable energy sources, photocatalysis and many other applications in various fields. Nanophotocatalyst has been used for the treatment of hazardous materials such as industrial effluents containing complex organic compounds, dyes and metal ions successfully. The multidimensional study of composition, shape, size, surface area and nanostructure and different operating parameters like pH, concentration, temperature etc, of these photocatalyst help in current and further development of photocatalysts for different applications . The photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles has made a great contribution in providing definitive mechanistic information about the photocatalytic processes. The main aim of this review paper is to give an overview of the enhanced photocatalytic activities of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. This review includes the basic properties of photocatalyst and mechanim of photocatalysis process followed by unique photocatalytic properties and research of TiO2 nanoparticles as photocatalysts. An effort has also been made to give an overview of expedient photocatalytic activity of these doped nanoparticles. Many investigators have reported the enhanced photocatalytic activity by the degradation of dyes as a model compound.