Environmental catalysis advances rapidly amid rising global pollution crisis

Escalating contamination drives breakthrough developments in photocatalytic materials, carbon- based cocatalysts, and semiconductor technologies for sustainable energy generation worldwide

- BY ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

THE confluence of escalating environmental degradation and fossil fuel depletion has catalysed an unprecedented expansion in environmental catalysis research, transforming it into a multidisciplinary frontier where chemists, materials scientists, and environmentalists converge to address humanity’s most pressing ecological challenges.

Environmental catalysis has emerged as a critical field where controllable materials synthesis, advanced characterisations through electron microscopy and spectroscopy, high-level analytical chemistry, and computational studies collectively drive the generation of clean energy whilst simultaneously abating major pollutants in air and water.

The synthesis of high-performance catalysts and their applications in various catalytic technologies for environment remediation now represents a coordinated effort to illustrate the theories behind catalytic reactions whilst delivering practical solutions.

PHOTOCATALYTIC INNOVATION & SOLAR ENERGY UTILISATION

Photocatalysis remains the central focus for the environmental catalysis community due to its wide applications in carbon dioxide reduction, oxidation of volatile organic compounds, elimination of aqueous organic pollutants, disinfection, and water splitting.

The synthesis of visible light and near-infrared light responsive semiconductor photocatalysts has attracted immense scientific interest because visible light and NIR light occupy approximately 90% of solar light energy, compared to no more than 5% for ultraviolet light.

Multiple routes including creating defects and element doping have been developed to enhance the visible light absorption of titanium dioxide, the most popularly used photocatalyst.