Abstract

The concern over increasing presence of complex refractory compounds in the wastewater streams, the conventional treatment method cannot be used for complete treatment of the effluent. These current problems have provided incentives to develop newer technologies to improve performance of existing technologies. In this paper, photocatalytic process (belonging to the class of advanced oxidation processes) is presented to show the potential of nanosized TiO₂ semiconductor photocatalysis towards the refractory compounds into less harmful molecules. The work highlights the basics of this process including the various nanosized TiO₂ synthesis methods and a description of the attempts and possibilities to improve its reactivity in the recent years. Besides, information on the photocatalytic reactor design, other aspects with a complete overview of the various applications to wastewater treatment is also provided. The present review paper seeks to offer an overview of the dramatic trend in the use of the nanosized TiO₂ photocatalysis for the remediation and decontamination of wastewater, report on recent work done, important achievement and problems. The present article discusses the useful patents in the field of photocatalysis over nanosized titanium dioxide

Keywords: Photocatalysis, organic contaminants degradation, nanosized titanium dioxide, photoreactor