This chapter pays significant importance to noble metal nanoparticles in the degradation of pollutants through the photocatalysis process by discussing their mechanisms, applications, and important recent advances. The mechanism of the photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants is addressed in this chapter for demonstrating how the interaction of light energy with activators in catalysts results in breaking up complex organic molecules into less dangerous substances. This process is not only indispensable but also views the present growing concern in pollution, especially that of water and air. Furthermore, the chapter deals with noble metal catalysts and describes how their typical properties might increase the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions. It elaborates on noble metals for their catalytic performance in view of their properties, such as those of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium. It also explains photocatalyzed mechanisms of dye degradation, including the production of reactive oxygen species that could make the breakdown of contaminants possible. The chapter also accounts for factors that could affect the photocatalytic dye degradation process, including the intensity of the light, the concentration of the catalyst, and substances in the solution that may have an overriding effect on the overall efficiency of the degradation processes. In the following sections, noble metal nanoparticles applied for the degradation of water pollutants are described. The contribution of every type of nanoparticle to the process is explained. It is known that gold nanoparticles enhance the photocatalytic activity of substrates, while the antimicrobial activity and the degradation of organic pollutants are effectively offered by silver nanoparticles. The chapter extends to the catalytic degradation of organic air pollutants by describing the general reaction mechanism of how noble metal nanoparticles may work for the degradation of VOCs and other air pollutants. The part related to nanoparticles for pollutant degradation in the air underlines the efficiency of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles for air purification applications by highlighting their catalytic activities toward the breakdown of harmful substances into the atmosphere. While global pollution levels have been growing exponentially, the creative use of catalysts brings possible ways to help diminish the impact of organic pollutants in water and air and will be vital contributors toward cleaner ecosystems and better public health. The introduction of noble metal nanoparticles in photocatalytic systems opens new routes toward effective and efficient methods of pollutant degradation and forms one of the most exciting areas for future research and applications in environmental science and engineering.

Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Pollutant Decomposition

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发表日期：

2025年

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Tahir Iqbal Awan,
Sumera Afsheen,
Ayesha Mushtaq

摘要

This chapter pays significant importance to noble metal nanoparticles in the degradation of pollutants through the photocatalysis process by discussing their mechanisms, applications, and important recent advances. The mechanism of the photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants is addressed in this chapter for demonstrating how the interaction of light energy with activators in catalysts results in breaking up complex organic molecules into less dangerous substances. This process is not only indispensable but also views the present growing concern in pollution, especially that of water and air. Furthermore, the chapter deals with noble metal catalysts and describes how their typical properties might increase the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions. It elaborates on noble metals for their catalytic performance in view of their properties, such as those of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium. It also explains photocatalyzed mechanisms of dye degradation, including the production of reactive oxygen species that could make the breakdown of contaminants possible. The chapter also accounts for factors that could affect the photocatalytic dye degradation process, including the intensity of the light, the concentration of the catalyst, and substances in the solution that may have an overriding effect on the overall efficiency of the degradation processes. In the following sections, noble metal nanoparticles applied for the degradation of water pollutants are described. The contribution of every type of nanoparticle to the process is explained. It is known that gold nanoparticles enhance the photocatalytic activity of substrates, while the antimicrobial activity and the degradation of organic pollutants are effectively offered by silver nanoparticles. The chapter extends to the catalytic degradation of organic air pollutants by describing the general reaction mechanism of how noble metal nanoparticles may work for the degradation of VOCs and other air pollutants. The part related to nanoparticles for pollutant degradation in the air underlines the efficiency of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles for air purification applications by highlighting their catalytic activities toward the breakdown of harmful substances into the atmosphere. While global pollution levels have been growing exponentially, the creative use of catalysts brings possible ways to help diminish the impact of organic pollutants in water and air and will be vital contributors toward cleaner ecosystems and better public health. The introduction of noble metal nanoparticles in photocatalytic systems opens new routes toward effective and efficient methods of pollutant degradation and forms one of the most exciting areas for future research and applications in environmental science and engineering.