dioxide were also due to better synergistic effect. Synergistic effects helped in
effective separation of e
À and h
+ for better sonocatalytic activity (Shujuan Zhang
2012). The synergism in metals such as iron and palladium enhanced the pollutant
degradation (Li et al. 2015a, b).
5.9 Photocatalysis
In the twenty-first century, involvement of natural processes has been the major
focus of researchers in all the fields. Photocatalysis is one such field that can easily
work on solar energy depending upon the kind of the material used in catalysis
(Kudo and Miseki 2009). Photocatalysis has faced a lot of limitations of thin spectral
responses, low quantum effectiveness, pitiable constancy, and difficulty in reusability (Hernández-Alonso et al. 2009; Liu et al. 2009a, b). Functionalization has helped
in overcoming all these limitations of photocatalysis. Transition metal oxides upon
functionalized having all ranges of band gap energy can rely entirely upon ultraviolet
region or visible region of sunlight.
Visible light absorption has been improved in nanocomposites through surface
modification. Generally, formation of the heterophase and homophase junction in
these coupled materials helps in enhancing the degradation activity. Two reasons are
held responsible for better activity; first is wide range of photo-response and second
better activity of photogenerated charge carriers. One such nanocomposite of silver
carbonate@silver oxide with better junction of different phases showed enhanced
photocatalytic degradation activity for organic pollutants. Under sunlight, complete
degradation as well as mineralization of organic material was possible (Yi et al.
2010).
5.10 Conclusions and Future Scopes
In the present review, the main focus was given to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, their degradation through the functionalized nanomaterials, and factors
affecting the degradation. Even though many attempts have been made to investigate
the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their degradation, there is still demand
thriving more light on the degradation of higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and its mechanism. Various final points could be concluded drawn from this review:
• Functionalization not only enhances the overall properties of the materials but
also increases its role in the degradation of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into safer by-products.
5 Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Functionalized Nanomaterials
159
effective separation of e
À and h
+ for better sonocatalytic activity (Shujuan Zhang
2012). The synergism in metals such as iron and palladium enhanced the pollutant
degradation (Li et al. 2015a, b).
5.9 Photocatalysis
In the twenty-first century, involvement of natural processes has been the major
focus of researchers in all the fields. Photocatalysis is one such field that can easily
work on solar energy depending upon the kind of the material used in catalysis
(Kudo and Miseki 2009). Photocatalysis has faced a lot of limitations of thin spectral
responses, low quantum effectiveness, pitiable constancy, and difficulty in reusability (Hernández-Alonso et al. 2009; Liu et al. 2009a, b). Functionalization has helped
in overcoming all these limitations of photocatalysis. Transition metal oxides upon
functionalized having all ranges of band gap energy can rely entirely upon ultraviolet
region or visible region of sunlight.
Visible light absorption has been improved in nanocomposites through surface
modification. Generally, formation of the heterophase and homophase junction in
these coupled materials helps in enhancing the degradation activity. Two reasons are
held responsible for better activity; first is wide range of photo-response and second
better activity of photogenerated charge carriers. One such nanocomposite of silver
carbonate@silver oxide with better junction of different phases showed enhanced
photocatalytic degradation activity for organic pollutants. Under sunlight, complete
degradation as well as mineralization of organic material was possible (Yi et al.
2010).
5.10 Conclusions and Future Scopes
In the present review, the main focus was given to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, their degradation through the functionalized nanomaterials, and factors
affecting the degradation. Even though many attempts have been made to investigate
the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their degradation, there is still demand
thriving more light on the degradation of higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
and its mechanism. Various final points could be concluded drawn from this review:
• Functionalization not only enhances the overall properties of the materials but
also increases its role in the degradation of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into safer by-products.
5 Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Functionalized Nanomaterials
159