Conducting polymer based visible light photocatalytic composites for pollutant removal: Progress and prospects

Conducting polymers (CPs) have been proved to be instrumental in enhancing photocatalytic efficacy owing their unique physicochemical properties and energy levels. In this regard, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has investigated transdisciplinary research areas (like catalysis, technologies, health, environment) due its desirable characteristics. the process of developing advanced photocatalysts, novel inorganic–organic heterojunction design based materials explored developed contrast conventional, inorganic–inorganic type semiconducting photocatalysts (SCPs). context, hybrid/composite SCPs comprising CPs TiO , received significant attention for terms activity as well visible light activation. The synergistic contribution from (here we focus only on polyaniline (PANI) polypyrrole (PPy)) enhance light-absorption capability region, photogenerated extraction, higher stability. Importantly, published literature (before 2015) photocatalysis -CP composites mainly discusses sensitizing aspects CP . However, there is a critical need review (beyond explore state art progress concerning mechanism performances phenomenal parallel developments knowledge gaps addressed new kinds formation S-Scheme over traditional ones), band tuning interfacial contact effects between two SCPs. particular, topical aims capture highlight current advancements (2016–2021) relevance performance CP–TiO functional composites, which include nanostructures multi-components. predominantly available last five years application CPs–TiO monitoring or removal pollutants under activation reviewed giving importance revealing role concurrent enhancement both performances. Finally, elaborate challenges future outlook development area. • Captured recent advances hybrid conducting polymer composites. Discussed light-mediated photocatalysis. Reviewed various types nanocomposites pollutant removal. Synergistic contributions these were elaborated.