Recent Advances in Titanium Dioxide Bio-Derived Carbon Photocatalysts for Organic Pollutant Degradation in Wastewater

Water pollution from organic pollutants such as dyes and pharmaceuticals poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health, demanding effective remediation strategies. Conventional water treatment methods fall short in eliminating these contaminants, prompting interest in photocatalysis, which uses light energy to degrade pollutants into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. This sustainable approach offers efficient pollutant removal with recyclable photocatalysts but faces challenges such as rapid charge recombination and limited electron-hole migration. Research aims to enhance photocatalytic efficiency under UV, visible, and solar light through metal doping and binary oxide systems, particularly titanium dioxide, which improves charge carrier migration and delays recombination. Coupling titanium dioxide with bio-derived carbon shows promise in enhancing electron-hole separation and visible light absorption. This review explores advances in photocatalyst synthesis, degradation mechanisms, adsorption reactions, and economic value of bioderived photocatalysts, emphasizing the potential of photocatalysis for efficient wastewater treatment.