Heterogeneous catalysis by nanomaterials is a preponderance promising technology for the remediation of toxic pollutants in water and air. Recently, there have been tremendous efforts to fabricate highly photoactive heterogeneous catalysts with desirable properties suitable for these applications. The production of silica has mainly been based on the use of tetraethylorthosilicate or tetramethylorthosilicate which are undoubtedly expensive and perhaps hazardous precursors attracting the urgency to search for cost-effective precursors and simplified synthetic routes. Meanwhile, composites with...