Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
5-22-2023
Journal Name
Rsc Advances
Abstract
The challenges associated with photocatalysts including their agglomeration, electron-hole recombination and limited optoelectronic reactivity to visible light during the photocatalysis of dye-laden effluent make it necessary to fabricate versatile polymeric composite photocatalysts, and in this case the incredibly reactive conducting polyaniline can be employed. The selection of polyaniline among the conducting polymers is based on its proficient functional impacts in composite blends and proficient synergism with other nanomaterials, especially semiconductor catalysts, resulting in a high photocatalytic performance for the degradation of dyes. However, the impacts of PANI in the composite matrix, which result in the desired photocatalytic activities, can only be assessed using multiple characterization techniques, involving both microscopic and spectroscopic assessment. The characterization results play a significant role in the detection of possible points of agglomeration, surface tunability and improved reactivity during the fabrication of composites, which are necessary to improve their performance in the photocatalysis of dyes. Accordingly, studies revealed the functional impacts of polyaniline in composites including morphological transformation, improved surface functionality, reduction in agglomeration and lowered bandgap potential employing different characterization techniques. In this review, we present the most proficient fabrication techniques based on the in situ approach to achieve improved functional and reactive features and efficiencies of 93, 95, 96, 98.6 and 99% for composites in dye photocatalysis.
Keywords
polyaniline, composite matrix, photocatalysts
Rsif Scholar Name
Joshua Oyetade
Thematic Area
Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering
Africa Host University (AHU)
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania
Recommended Citation
Oyetade, J., Machunda, R., & Hilonga, A. (2023). Functional impacts of polyaniline in composite matrix of photocatalysts: an instrumental overview. Rsc Advances, 13 (23), 15467-15489. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra01243c