Conducting Polymers and Photocatalysis: A Mini Review on Selected Conducting Polymers and Photocatalysts as TiO2 and ZnO

Abstract

This work covers a comprehensive mini review of the recent studies on the use of composites consisting of conducting polymers coupled with photocatalysts. The selected photocatalysts were TiO2 and ZnO and conducting polymers were polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene. Based on the reference studies, preparation and characterization methodologies were presented along with reaction conditions. Assessment of photocatalytic performance of the composites was based on i. light intensity, band gap energy and effective wavelength region, ii. surface area and initial adsorption, iii. zeta potential and the pH of point of zero charges (pHzpc), with respect to selected substrate physico-chemical properties. Conclusive remarks covered recommendations for future studies to fulfill the misconceptions.