Interfacially engineered metal oxide nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and energy applications

Escalating global energy demands and environmental pollution necessitate innovative solutions for sustainable development. Conventional methods often prove inadequate, driving research towards advanced materials and technologies. This review critically analyzes existing industrial wastewater treatment approaches, highlighting their merits and limitations, before focusing on the recent advancements in metal oxide-based nanocomposite photocatalysis for both pollutant degradation and energy generation. Moreover, the structural, electronic, and optical properties of metal oxides (MOx) are elucidated. The review discusses various MOx synthesis routes and their nanocomposites and elucidates the underlying photocatalytic mechanisms, emphasizing the influence of operational parameters on photocatalytic efficiency. Moreover, it explores how MOx can be utilized for photocatalytic energy generation, in addition to their role in pollutant degradation. Furthermore, it delves into the synergistic effects achieved by combining MOx with complementary nanomaterials (carbon-based structures, polymers, non-metals, semiconductors, and metal sulfides) to create hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity for both applications. A cost analysis and SWOT analysis are presented to assess the economic and technological feasibility of this trend. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights for developing efficient, sustainable, and scalable wastewater treatment solutions using MOx-based nanocomposites, ultimately contributing to improved environmental remediation and water resource management while simultaneously exploring opportunities for energy production.