Organo-Inorganic Nanocomposite Photocatalysts for Visible-Light Degradation of Emerging Water Pollutants

Heterogeneous photocatalysis has become a leading strategy in environmental chemistry for the removal of emerging pollutants that persist in water systems. Substances such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and endocrine disruptors evade breakdown by conventional water treatment methods, posing ecological and health risks. Recent research emphasizes organo-inorganic heterostructure nanocomposites, which combine organic and inorganic functionalities to optimize light harvesting, promote charge-carrier separation, and improve catalyst durability and recyclability. Studies have demonstrated significant advances in visible-light-driven photocatalysis and the development of hybrid materials that mimic the efficiency of natural photosynthesis. However, despite encouraging laboratory results, challenges remain in achieving stability, scalability, and real wastewater applicability. Bridging these gaps requires multidisciplinary collaboration spanning chemistry, materials science, and environmental engineering.This Research Topic aims to consolidate innovative research focused on organo-inorganic heterostructure nanocomposites tailored for the photocatalytic degradation of emerging pollutants. The goal is to advance photocatalyst design and understanding toward practical utilization under realistic conditions, addressing persistent issues in light absorption, charge transfer, and catalyst lifetime. Contributors are encouraged to move beyond simplified dye degradation models and explore real pollutants within complex matrices. The Research Topic seeks to integrate experimental, theoretical, and engineering perspectives to achieve not only fundamental insight but also scalable and sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment. Research encompassing catalyst synthesis, mechanistic elucidation, photoreactor optimization, and long-term performance evaluation is particularly welcomed.This Research Topic covers studies centered on the synthesis, characterization, and environmental application of organo-inorganic heterostructure nanocomposites, with emphasis on their efficacy in real-world water remediation. To gather further insights into functional design and deployment, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Design and tuning of heterojunctions (Type II, S-scheme, Z-scheme) for enhanced photocatalysis- Band-gap engineering and interfacial charge-transfer mechanisms- Scalable and green synthesis routes for organo-inorganic nanocomposites- Photoreactor design, catalyst immobilization, and regeneration strategies- Kinetic modeling, degradation pathways, and toxicity analysis of intermediates- Pilot-scale demonstrations and performance validation in real wastewater systems Topic editors: Vikram Uttam Pandit, Gustavo Lopes Colpani, Martina Kocijan, Aleksandar Devecerski, Marija Egerić Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82712/organo-inorganic-nanocomposite-photocatalysts-for-visible-light-degradation-of-emerging-water-pollutants