Photocatalytic Degradation of Various Dyes using Spinel Aluminates and Their Composites: A Review

Toxic, cancer-causing and hazardous organic dyes are increasingly being released into the Earth's drinking water through large industries, humans, and various other sources. Removing these contaminants has become extremely essential. Although physical, chemical and biological methods are being used to eliminate such pollutants, they are often not completely effective. At present, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are being widely adopted for better results. In our review paper, we discuss how spinel aluminate can be used as a catalyst for the degradation of such harmful organic dyes. Spinel aluminate oxides have garnered attention due to their multifunctional properties and broad applicability. These materials exhibit exceptional stability, tuneable band gaps, and strong surface activity, which make them suitable for catalysis, sensors, energy storage, and environmental remediation. Among these, photodegradation of organic pollutants from wastewater is one of the most promising applications. In comparison to conventional methods such as adsorption, filtration, and reverse osmosis, spinel aluminate oxide-based photocatalysis delivers notable advantages: low cost, reusability, and the ability to mineralize diverse hazardous contaminants into safe products. This review covers the types of spinel aluminates, their composites, synthesis methods, and photocatalytic performance against various dyes.