Recent advances of semiconductor photocatalysis for water pollutant treatment: mechanisms, materials and applications

Semiconductor photocatalysis has become an increasing area of interest for use in water treatment methods. This review systematically presents the recent developments of emerging semiconductor photocatalysis system and their application in the removal of water pollutants. A brief overview of the semiconductor photocatalysis mechanism involved with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is provided first. Then a detailed explanation of the development of TiO₂-based, g-C₃N₄-based, and bismuth-based semiconductor materials and their applications in the degradation of water pollutants are highlighted with recent illustrative examples. Furthermore, the future prospects of semiconductor photocatalysis for water treatment are critically analyzed.