A Comprehensive Review on Photocatalytic Degradation of Textile Dyes Using PANI-Semiconductor Composites

The dyeing process in textile industries has significant environment implication, primarily due to the release of a large amount of water effluents. Photocatalyst is a perennially effective technique used for the degradation of toxic, low- biodegradable hazardous effluents from water bodies. This method is highly selective, cost-effective, straightforward synthesis, and environmentally friendly process. Semiconductor metal oxides-based photocatalysts have gained attraction due to their superior properties including less toxicity and environment applications. However, their widespread implementation has diminished because of the poor photocatalytic activity in the visible region. To address this limitation, incorporating a conducting polymer particularly Polyaniline, has proven more effective. The enhanced charge-carrying capacity and ability to change the optical band gap makes the semiconductor more efficient for the degrading the organic effluents from the water bodies. This review primarily focuses on degradation of poisonous dyes present in textiles wastewater, using the polyaniline-semiconductor nanocomposite as a photocatalyst material.