Chapter 5: TiO₂–Graphitic Carbon Nitride-based Nanocomposites for the Degradation of Emerging Pollutants

TiO₂-based nanocomposites have been extensively explored as potential materials for the degradation of various emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, and pesticides. The material’s photocatalytic performances have been continually improved via the inclusion of semiconductor(s), cocatalysts, and doping. Graphitic carbon nitride (gC₃N₄) is regarded as a good visible light photocatalyst for the modification of TiO₂ and its nanocomposites. Binary TiO₂–gC₃N₄ and TiO₂–gC₃N₄-based nanostructures have been synthesized in related studies via various synthesis methods and routes such as sol–gel, hydrothermal, solvothermal and microwave methods to produce highly visible-light responsive materials with enhanced charge separation and photocatalytic activity. The type of precursors and calcination conditions also greatly influence the material’s surface, optical morphology, and finally their photocatalytic activities. Both binary TiO₂–gC₃N₄ and TiO₂–gC₃N₄-based nanostructures exhibit great potential in removing emerging pollutants and can be further exploited in achieving enhanced photocatalytic performance.