Visible light–driven photoelectrocatalytic semiconductor heterojunction anodes for water treatment applications

Research interest in photoelectrocatalysis or photoelectrochemical oxidation processes for water treatment is on the increase. This is because this method has the ability to abate a wide range of recalcitrant organic pollutants from wastewater. The application of visible or solar light, which has the potential to reduce cost, increase safety, and increase sustainability, is a recent direction in this novel electrochemical technology for water treatment. This review focuses on the use of semiconductor heterojunctions as a way of tuning the photoanode towards visible light activation. The classifications, preparations and various applications of semiconductor heterojunction for the removal of organic pollutants from water in the past two years are presented with concluding remarks and future perspective.