Daylight Photoactive TiO2 Sol-Gel Nanoparticles: Sustainable Environmental Contribution

Abstract

Visible-light-photoactive titania micro- or nanoparticles excel in a wide range of industrial areas, particularly in environmental remediation. The sol–gel methodology is one pivotal technique which has been successfully used to synthesize either crystalline and amorphous TiO2 micro- and nanoparticles due to its outstanding chemical simplicity and versatility, along with the green chemistry approach. This short review aims to collect and discuss the most recent developments in visible-light-photoactive titania-based nanoparticles in the environmental remediation area. Titania co-doping, titania composite design, and, recently, amorphous networks have been the most used strategies to address this goal. Finally, a prediction regarding the future of these fields is given.