Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Splitting of Water and Its Application in Environmental Remediation as a Potential Alternative
Simon Bbumba *
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda, Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Computing, Ndejje University, P.O. Box 7088, Kampala, Uganda and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Muni University, P.O. Box 725, Arua, Uganda.
Chinaecherem Tochukwu Arum *
Department of Material Science and Explosives, Faculty of Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, PMB 2109, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Moses Kigozi
Department of Chemistry, Busitema University, P. O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda.
Ibrahim Karume
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Hussein Kisiki Nsamba
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Ivan Kiganda
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Moses Murungi
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
John Ssekatawa
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Resty Alexandra Nazziwa
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Collins Letibo Yikii
Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Herein we reviewed Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and how they are applied in the photocatalytic splitting of water to generate hydrogen but also to remove both organic and inorganic pollutants. Hydrogen generation through the splitting of water by TiO2 which is a cheap, efficient, and non-toxic photocatalyst has found wide application in clean energy production. The efficiency of the photocatalyst can be improved by using water or sacrificial agents as electron donors, thereby enhancing hydrogen production. In addition, this review explores the fundamental principles, mechanisms, and applications of TiO2-based photocatalysis. It further, highlights the structural properties, bandgap engineering, and surface modifications that influence the catalytic activity of TiO2. Additionally, we discuss the doping of TiO2 with both metals and non-metals to narrow the energy band gap which lowers the recombination effects. Finally, it introduces the potential applications of TiO2-based photocatalysis in the photodegradation of organic and inorganic pollutants.
Keywords: Titanium dioxide, water splitting, hydrogen, band gap, degradation