• A lot of functionalized materials (carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, metal
oxides, etc.) were able to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mainly
anthracene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, and benz[a]
anthracene.
• Coupling between different materials lowered the band gap energy, charge
recombination, and enhanced the overall surface active sites and radical species.
• Radical species such as superoxide along with the hydroxyl radicals are the main
agents causing the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Coupling also shifted the overall light response of nanomaterials toward the
naturally available light region (visible), hence increased its application under
natural scenario such as sunlight.
• A very few reports were available on the degradation of higher molecular weight
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons removal; this needs further attention.
• Functionalization of carbon-based materials has been done exhaustively, yet their
application in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation is very limited.
• Although attempts have been done to explore the role of functionalization in the
degradation ability of catalyst, there is still a need to put more light on the
degradation mechanism.
• In-depth detail of the synthesized materials such as size, shape, porosity, and
surface activity should be further explored. Complete knowledge of the materials
properties can help in designing a well active strategy to remove organic
contaminants.
• To achieve desired targets of environmental cleanup, better understanding of
functionalization is needed. Stability of functionalized materials under different
conditions of solvent, pH, and temperature should be known. Other than these,
the biocompatibility of the nanocatalysts should be adequately checked before
practical involvement.
• All in all a great deal of information was gathered for the degradation of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with functionalized materials. It was seen
that most of the work was based on the lab results, yet the practical applicability
of the nanocatalysts through field study is needed.
• Involvement of noble metals for the coupling should be explored since even in
past inventions introduction of noble metals has shown tremendous results.
• Development of more facile, simple, one-step, and cheap processes for engineering application is highly recommended.
Acknowledgments One of the author Dr. Manviri Rani is grateful for the financial assistance from
DST-SERB, New Delhi (Sanction order no. SRG/2019/000114), and TEQIP-III MNIT Jaipur.
Authors also wish to thank TEQIP-III, NIT Jalandhar, and Ministry of Human Resource and
Development, New Delhi, India.
160
Rachna et al.
oxides, etc.) were able to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mainly
anthracene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, and benz[a]
anthracene.
• Coupling between different materials lowered the band gap energy, charge
recombination, and enhanced the overall surface active sites and radical species.
• Radical species such as superoxide along with the hydroxyl radicals are the main
agents causing the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Coupling also shifted the overall light response of nanomaterials toward the
naturally available light region (visible), hence increased its application under
natural scenario such as sunlight.
• A very few reports were available on the degradation of higher molecular weight
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons removal; this needs further attention.
• Functionalization of carbon-based materials has been done exhaustively, yet their
application in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degradation is very limited.
• Although attempts have been done to explore the role of functionalization in the
degradation ability of catalyst, there is still a need to put more light on the
degradation mechanism.
• In-depth detail of the synthesized materials such as size, shape, porosity, and
surface activity should be further explored. Complete knowledge of the materials
properties can help in designing a well active strategy to remove organic
contaminants.
• To achieve desired targets of environmental cleanup, better understanding of
functionalization is needed. Stability of functionalized materials under different
conditions of solvent, pH, and temperature should be known. Other than these,
the biocompatibility of the nanocatalysts should be adequately checked before
practical involvement.
• All in all a great deal of information was gathered for the degradation of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with functionalized materials. It was seen
that most of the work was based on the lab results, yet the practical applicability
of the nanocatalysts through field study is needed.
• Involvement of noble metals for the coupling should be explored since even in
past inventions introduction of noble metals has shown tremendous results.
• Development of more facile, simple, one-step, and cheap processes for engineering application is highly recommended.
Acknowledgments One of the author Dr. Manviri Rani is grateful for the financial assistance from
DST-SERB, New Delhi (Sanction order no. SRG/2019/000114), and TEQIP-III MNIT Jaipur.
Authors also wish to thank TEQIP-III, NIT Jalandhar, and Ministry of Human Resource and
Development, New Delhi, India.
160
Rachna et al.