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Inorganics
Special Issues
Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications
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Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2026 | Viewed by 10602

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Guan-Ting Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Extractive Metallurgy Hub, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
Interests: electrocatalysis; metal–organic frameworks; transition-metal oxides; energy storage materials; photocatalysis; green synthesis; functional inorganic materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalysts and their photoelectrochemical reaction mechanisms have recently gained significant attention due to growing environmental awareness. These materials are crucial in applications such as energy conversion (e.g., methanol, ethanol, and methane production) and photoreactive purification processes.

The primary reason for their importance lies in their unique catalytic properties, including surface characteristics, optical absorption, crystalline structures, specific morphologies, and oxidation-reduction capabilities. As a result, photocatalysts hold great potential for future applications, particularly through the successful design of composite catalysts that exhibit improved efficiency, selectivity, and stable catalytic activity.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advances in photocatalysts based on inorganic nanomaterials, with a focus on their use in industrial and acidic environments. We welcome a diverse collection of original research articles and comprehensive reviews

Dr. Guan-Ting Pan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photocatalyst
  • photodegradation
  • conversion efficiency
  • environmental remediation
  • photoelectrochemistry
  • crystal structure
  • surface states
  • photoelectrochemical water splitting
  • photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction
  • photoelectrochemical reforming
  • photocatalytic materials for wastewater treatment and air pollution control
  • design of photoelectrochemical process and cell
  • characterization techniques on the performance of photoelectrochemical systems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2594 KB  
Article
Turning Colombian Banana Waste into a Lignocellulosic Carbocatalyst: A Green Photocatalytic Route for Mercury Remediation
by Hasleidy Úsuga-Guerra, Milton Rojas, John Rojas, Lis Manrique-Losada, Daniel Ávila-Torres, Ricardo A. Torres-Palma and Yenny P. Ávila-Torres
Inorganics 2026, 14(5), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14050141 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 326
Abstract
Mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining remains one of the most persistent environmental threats due to the high toxicity, mobility, and bioaccumulation of Hg(II). In this work, Colombian banana pseudostem waste is valorized into a lignocellulosic carbocatalyst through pyrolysis at 500 [...] Read more.
Mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining remains one of the most persistent environmental threats due to the high toxicity, mobility, and bioaccumulation of Hg(II). In this work, Colombian banana pseudostem waste is valorized into a lignocellulosic carbocatalyst through pyrolysis at 500 °C followed by MnCO3-derived MnOx functionalization, producing a sustainable material for Hg(II) remediation. The transformation of the biomass leads from a fibrous structure (~25 µm) to a pyrolyzed carbon matrix (9.56 µm), and finally to a heterogeneous Mn-modified system with bimodal particle distribution (~25 µm and ~0.85 µm), the latter being associated with highly dispersed MnOx redox-active domains. Structural and textural analyses reveal that Mn incorporation significantly enhances surface properties, increasing the BET surface area from 140.8 to 213 m2 g−1 while reducing pore size to the meso–microporous range (~1.9 nm). Importantly, the material retains intrinsic minerals such as Ca, Mg, K, and Si, which contribute to surface basicity and ion-exchange capacity, supporting additional Hg(II) interaction pathways. Optical and electronic characterization shows a wide band gap semiconductor behavior (≈3.4 eV) and a conduction band position at −0.892 V vs. NHE, sufficiently negative to thermodynamically drive Hg2+ reduction to Hg0 under UV-A irradiation. Hg(II) quantification was validated using a UV–Vis method based on the Hg2+–dipicolinic acid (DPA) complex, confirming stable complex formation with 1:2 stoichiometry (Hg2+:DPA) and high analytical reliability (R2 = 0.948, LOD = 1.85 mg L−1). Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated negligible Hg(II) reduction under UV-A light in the absence of catalyst, whereas the carbon-based materials enabled significant Hg transformation through adsorption-assisted photoinduced electron transfer. Electrochemical analyses (Rct ≈ 11 Ω) confirmed efficient charge transport, while cyclic voltammetry evidenced reversible Mn(IV)/Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox cycling, which sustains electron mediation during photocatalysis. Overall, pristine biochar acts primarily through adsorption driven by oxygenated functional groups and porous structure, whereas Mn-functionalized biochar operates via a synergistic adsorption–photocatalytic mechanism. In this system, MnOx species function as redox-active centers that facilitate electron transfer from the carbon matrix to Hg(II), while the conductive lignocellulosic-derived framework enhances charge mobility. The combination of structural carbon stability, dispersed Mn active sites, and inherent mineral functionality establishes a highly efficient and sustainable carbocatalyst, demonstrating a green and scalable approach for mercury remediation in mining-impacted regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications)
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10 pages, 1879 KB  
Article
Temperature-Dependent Degradation of Volatile Organic Compounds Using Ga2O3 Photocatalyst
by Dayoun Hong, Jiwon Kwak, Hyeongju Cha, Heejoong Ryou, Sunjae Kim, Wan Sik Hwang and Hyunah Kim
Inorganics 2025, 13(10), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13100326 - 30 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1568
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, are hazardous air pollutants that require efficient and sustainable mitigation strategies. Photocatalytic degradation of VOCs offers a promising pathway; however, its performance is strongly influenced by multiple operational parameters. Here, we present a systematic [...] Read more.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, are hazardous air pollutants that require efficient and sustainable mitigation strategies. Photocatalytic degradation of VOCs offers a promising pathway; however, its performance is strongly influenced by multiple operational parameters. Here, we present a systematic investigation of toluene degradation under ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation across controlled temperatures using Ga2O3 as a photocatalyst. A comprehensive analysis revealed that elevated temperatures enhanced photocatalytic activity by accelerating chemical reaction rates. However, further temperature increases led to a decrease in performance due to a reduction in the reactant adsorption rate. An optimal operating temperature was identified, at which the balance between chemical reaction rates and reactant adsorption yields the highest degradation efficiency. These findings demonstrate Ga2O3 as a promising photocatalyst and provide fundamental insights into the temperature-dependent photocatalytic mechanisms governing VOC removal in practical environmental applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications)
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17 pages, 3368 KB  
Article
Enhanced Photocatalytic Performances and Mechanistic Insights for Novel Ag-Bridged Dual Z-Scheme AgI/Ag3PO4/WO3 Composites
by Chunlei Ma, Jianke Tang, Qi Wang, Rongqian Meng and Qiaoling Li
Inorganics 2025, 13(7), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13070222 - 1 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1654
Abstract
In this study, AgI/Ag3PO4/WO3 ternary composite photocatalysts with dual Z-scheme heterojunction were fabricated via the in situ loading of Ag3PO4 onto WO3 followed by anion exchange. Compared to single photocatalysts and binary composites, the [...] Read more.
In this study, AgI/Ag3PO4/WO3 ternary composite photocatalysts with dual Z-scheme heterojunction were fabricated via the in situ loading of Ag3PO4 onto WO3 followed by anion exchange. Compared to single photocatalysts and binary composites, the AgI/Ag3PO4/WO3 composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC) under visible-light irradiation. Notably, the AAW-40 photocatalyst, which contained an AgI/Ag3PO4 molar ratio of 40%, degraded 75.7% of the CTC within 75 min. Moreover, AAW-40 demonstrated an excellent performance in the cyclic degradation of CTC over four cyclic degradation experiments. The separation and transfer kinetics of the AgI/Ag3PO4/WO3 composite were investigated with photoluminescence spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The improved photocatalytic performance was primarily due to the creation of a silver-bridged dual Z-scheme heterojunction, which facilitated the efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs, retained the strong reducing capability of electrons in AgI, and ensured the strongly oxidizing nature of the photoexcited holes in WO3. The dual Z-scheme charge-transfer mechanism was further validated using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study provides a foundation for developing innovative dual Z-scheme photocatalytic systems aimed at the efficient degradation of antibiotics in wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications)
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Review

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19 pages, 2321 KB  
Review
Metal Decorated–ZnO and TiO2 Nanocomposites for Degradation of Organic Pollutants—A Mini Review
by Mpho Phillip Motloung and Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane
Inorganics 2026, 14(5), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14050120 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1647
Abstract
Water pollution caused by harmful organic pollutants discharged from various industries, such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, papermaking, and printing, is resulting in serious health complications and adversely impacting aquatic life. Numerous strategies/methods have been employed to remove these pollutants from water streams. Amongst them, [...] Read more.
Water pollution caused by harmful organic pollutants discharged from various industries, such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, papermaking, and printing, is resulting in serious health complications and adversely impacting aquatic life. Numerous strategies/methods have been employed to remove these pollutants from water streams. Amongst them, photocatalysts have proven effective in tackling these issues. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium Dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysts are at the forefront due to their exceptional properties, which render them ideal for wastewater treatment. However, their full capacity as photocatalysts is limited by the wide band gap and faster electron-hole recombination rates. Metal decoration on the surface of these semiconductors is one of the fascinating strategies to address these limitations. In this brief review, the synthesis, morphology, and photocatalytic activity of ZnO and TiO2 decorated with metal nanoparticles (NPs) towards the degradation of harmful organic pollutants from various industries are presented. Metal decoration of the surface of ZnO and TiO2 is a viable method to enhance the photocatalytic activity of these semiconductors, particularly under visible light. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications)
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48 pages, 7053 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in Carbon Dots-Based Photocatalysts for Water Treatment Applications
by Adamantia Zourou, Afrodite Ntziouni, Alexandra Karagianni, Niyaz Alizadeh, Nikolaos Argirusis, Maria Antoniadou, Georgia Sourkouni, Konstantinos V. Kordatos and Christos Argirusis
Inorganics 2025, 13(9), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13090286 - 26 Aug 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4342
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs), a rapidly emerging class of zero-dimensional (0-D) nanomaterials with small particle sizes (<10 nm), have garnered significant scientific interest owing to their exceptional physicochemical properties, non-toxicity, low-cost synthesis, and versatile applications. In recent years, the combination of various inorganic photocatalysts [...] Read more.
Carbon dots (CDs), a rapidly emerging class of zero-dimensional (0-D) nanomaterials with small particle sizes (<10 nm), have garnered significant scientific interest owing to their exceptional physicochemical properties, non-toxicity, low-cost synthesis, and versatile applications. In recent years, the combination of various inorganic photocatalysts (e.g., metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, metal oxyhalides, MXenes, non-metallic semiconductors) with CDs has gained momentum as a promising strategy to enhance their photocatalytic efficiency. By incorporating CDs, researchers have addressed fundamental challenges in photocatalytic systems, including limited light absorption range, rapid electron–hole recombination rate, low quantum efficiency, etc. The present review is focused on the most recent developments in CDs-based heterostructures for advanced photocatalytic applications, particularly in the field of environmental remediation, providing a comprehensive overview of emerging strategies, synthesis approaches, and the resulting enhancements in photocatalytic water treatment applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Photocatalysts for Environmental Applications)
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