Research Progress on Photocatalytic/Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation of Nitrogen Oxides

Abstract

The emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) increases year by year, causing serious problems to our livelihoods. The photocatalytic oxidation of NOx has attracted more attention recently because of its efficient removal of NOx, especially for low concentrations of NOx. In this review, the mechanism of the photocatalytic oxidation of NOx is described. Then, the recent progress on the development of photocatalysts is reviewed according to the categories of inorganic semiconductors, bismuth-based compounds, nitrogen carbide polymer, and metal organic frameworks (MOFs). In addition, the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of NOx, a method involving the application of an external voltage on the photocatalytic system to further increase the removal efficiency of NOx, and its progress are summarized. Finally, we outline the remaining challenges and provide our perspectives on the future directions for the photocatalytic oxidation of NOx.