Author(s)

Zhenmin Ding ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200233, China

Corresponding Author

Zhenmin Ding

ABSTRACT

Black titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has emerged as a promising visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for water purification owing to its defect-rich structure, which enhances light harvesting and charge separation. This review summarized recent advances in the structural characteristics, preparation strategies, photocatalytic mechanisms, and structure engineering of black TiO₂. Its applications in degrading conventional organic pollutants and emerging contaminants were highlighted, together with challenges associated with real wastewater treatment. Current limitations regarding defect stability, mechanistic understanding, catalyst recovery, and performance evaluation were critically discussed. Finally, future perspectives, including precise defect engineering, operando characterization, data-driven catalyst design, and continuous-flow photocatalytic systems, were proposed to facilitate the practical application of black TiO₂ in sustainable water purification.

KEYWORDS

Black TiO₂; Defect engineering; Photocatalysis; Organic pollutants; Water purification

CITE THIS PAPER

Zhenmin Ding. Black titanium dioxide toward sustainable water purification: Fundamentals, structure engineering, and future perspectives. Environment, Resource and Ecology Journal (2026). Vol. 10, No.1, 99-108. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/erej.2026.100113.

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