Synergetic photodegradation via inorganic-organic hybridization strategies: a review on preparations and applications of nanoparticle-hybridized polyaniline photocatalysts

Conjugated polymers such as polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole, and polythiophene have attracted much attention owing to their good electrical conductivity, stability, ease of preparation, and high application potential. Among these conjugated polymers, PANI has attracted much attention in the field of photocatalysis owing to its ability to absorb visible light and rapidly separate the photoexcited electron-hole pairs. Recently, a large number of studies have shown that PANI can substantially increase the photocatalytic activity under both UV light and natural sunlight irradiation. Considering this most unique performance of PANI-based photocatalysis, the applications of PANI in the preparation of composite photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides are summarized. In this review, the preparation methods, morphology, and photocatalytic properties of various composites are systematically studied. Synergistic effects between PANI and semiconductor nanomaterials or other carbon materials were found in many composite photocatalysts. Moreover, the mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement can be explained by analyzing the band structure of composite photocatalyst.

Automated summary

Conjugated polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) have attracted attention for their conductivity, stability, ease of preparation, and application potential. PANI has been found to enhance photocatalytic activity under UV light and natural sunlight, and its applications in the preparation of composite photocatalysts for degradation of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides are summarized. Synergistic effects between PANI and semiconductor nanomaterials or other carbon materials are observed, and the mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement is explained by analyzing the band structure of composite photocatalyst.