Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted metal oxide photocatalysts: Synthesis, classification, and mechanistic pathways

Le résumé fourni par la source

The construction of efficient photocatalysts (PCs) for environmental remediation is a major challenge as the catalytic activity relies on the surface chemistry and morphology. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a quaternary ammonium surfactant, has attracted growing attention that extends far beyond its role as a simple surfactant, with properties including stabilization, morphology control, surface charge, crystal growth, defect introduction, and enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. While several studies have reported the synthesis and application of CTAB-assisted metal oxide photocatalysts (CAMOPCs), a comprehensive analysis of their role in the degradation of organic pollutants remains lacking. This article systematically explores the progress in CAMOPCs, covering various synthesis routes, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, solvothermal, and co-precipitation, and their impact on altering the morphology and surface properties. The classification of CAMOPCs highlighting the evolution from single-component systems to more advanced composite structures is discussed. This classification focuses on their importance in charge separation efficiency, surface active sites, and visible-light harvesting capability, along with their respective limitations. Moreover, various dye degradation mechanisms such as type I, type II, type III, and p-n heterojunctions, direct Z-scheme, S-scheme, Schottky junctions, surface plasmon resonance, and mechanistic pathways assisted by ternary and quaternary systems are also briefed. Each mechanism plays a significant role in regulating the migration of electron–hole pairs, suppressing recombination, and enhancing photocatalytic efficiency under solar or visible light irradiation.

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