Versatility of heterogeneous photocatalysis: synthetic methodologies epitomizing the role of silica support in TiO2 based mixed oxides

Heterogeneous photocatalysis continues to be an active area of research with focus on developing catalytic systems that can degrade toxic pollutants in the gas and aqueous phase, and split water to generate hydrogen and oxygen. In this review, the incorporation of silica phases in titanium dioxide based photocatalysts is reviewed.