Nanoparticle‐enabled photocatalysis offers a low-energy, reagent-lean route for degrading persistent organic dyes in wastewater. This paper surveys the synthesis–structure–function nexus across metal oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, Fe₃O₄), sulfides (CoS, CdS-based), carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), and conductive polymer and MOF-derived hybrids engineered for visible-light response. Synthetic routes—including sol–gel, hydro/solvothermal, microemulsion, combustion, and green biogenic methods—are mapped to crystallinity, defect chemistry, and facet exposure that tune band gaps and charge transport. Comprehensive characterization (XRD, Raman, FTIR, XPS, TEM/HRTEM, SEM/EDS, UV–Vis DRS, PL/TRPL, BET, zeta potential) is used to correlate heterojunction architectures (S-, Z-, direct Z-scheme), dopant states (V, Ni/Fe, non-metals), and cocatalysts with reactive oxygen species generation (•OH, •O₂⁻, ¹O₂). Kinetic behavior typically follows pseudo-first-order models, with performance reported for dyes such as methylene blue, rhodamine B, methyl orange, and Congo red under simulated solar irradiation. Stability (≥5 reuse cycles), mineralization (TOC removal), and anti-fouling behavior are discussed alongside toxicity and leachate controls. Finally, we outline scalable reactor designs (fixed-film coatings, magnetic recovery, membrane-coupled systems) and reporting standards (spectral photon flux, space-time yield, apparent quantum efficiency) needed to bridge lab efficacy with real effluent treatment.
Divate et al. (Mon,) studied this question.