Nanoporous polymeric aerogels–based structured photocatalysts for the removal of organic pollutant from water under visible or solar light

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a highly efficient and promising process for the degradation of nonbiodegradable organic contaminants in water. However photocatalyst powders present major drawbacks such as a strong tendency to form agglomerates and the difficulty of the posttreatment recovery process, which have hindered the practical use of photocatalysis. The immobilization of photocatalysts can eliminate these drawbacks, and many potential supports have been considered in the last two decades. The aim of this chapter is to present recent developments for the immobilization of photocatalyst nanoparticles within nanoporous polymer monolithic aerogels. Aerogels combine the benefit of high surface area and high porosity, buoyancy, chemical resistance, and good mechanical properties that make them particularly interesting for supporting photocatalysts. In the first part of this chapter the preparation, structure, and properties of nanoporous polymeric aerogels are reviewed, whereas in the second part examples of the photodegradation efficiency of composite photocatalyst nanoporous aerogels are presented.