The degradation of 2-chlorophenol and of the two azo dyes acid orange 8 and acid red 1 in aqueous solution was investigated kinetically under sonolysis at 20 kHz and under photocatalysis in the presence of titanium dioxide particles, as well as under simultaneous sonolysis and photocatalysis, i.e. sonophotocatalysis. The influence on the degradation and mineralisation rates of the initial substrate concentration and of the photocatalyst amount was systematically investigated to ascertain the origin of the synergistic effect observed between the two degradation techniques. The evolution of hydrogen peroxide during kinetic runs was also monitored. Small amounts of Fe(III) were found to affect both the adsorption equilibria on the semiconductor and the degradation paths. Ultrasound may modify the rate of photocatalytic degradation by promoting the deaggregation of the photocatalyst, by inducing the desorption of organic substrates and degradation intermediates from the photocatalyst surface and, mainly, by favouring the scission of the photocatalytically and sonolytically produced H(2)O(2), with a consequent increase of oxidising species in the aqueous phase.

Recently, we have witnessed a booming development of composites and multi-dopant metal oxides to be employed as novel photocatalysts. Yet the practical application of photocatalysis for environmental purposes is still elusive. Concerns about the unknown fate and toxicity of nanoparticles, unsatisfactory performance in real conditions, mass transfer limitations and durability issues have so far discouraged investments in full-scale applications of photocatalysis. Herein, we provide a critical overview of the main challenges that are limiting large-scale application of photocatalysis in air and water/wastewater purification. We then discuss the main approaches reported in the literature to tackle these shortcomings, such as the design of photocatalytic reactors that retain the photocatalyst, the study of degradation of micropollutants in different water matrices, and the development of gas-phase reactors with optimized contact time and irradiation. Furthermore, we provide a critical analysis of research–practice gaps such as treatment of real water and air samples, degradation of pollutants with actual environmental concentrations, photocatalyst deactivation, and cost and environmental life-cycle assessment.