Applied Photochemistry

This monograph features what happens when light meets molecules. This edited volume contains contributions from an international array of contributors, and it is divided into sections representing a selection of carefully focussed and connected photochemistry topics: energy, technology, medicine, environmental sciences, and art. In each section one or more chapters illustrates relevant aspects of each field, such as artificial photosynthesis and solar energy conversion (energy), light emitting devices and photochromic dyes (technology), and photodynamic therapy and solar filters (medicine). Aimed at students of all levels and researchers active in photochemistry.

Applied Photochemistry encompasses the major applications of the chemical effects resulting from light absorption by atoms and molecules in chemistry, physics, medicine and engineering, and contains contributions from specialists in these key areas. Particular emphasis is placed both on how photochemistry contributes to these disciplines and on what the current developments are. The book starts with a general description of the interaction between light and matter, which provides the general background to photochemistry for non-specialists. The following chapters develop the general synthetic and mechanistic aspects of photochemistry as applied to both organic and inorganic materials, together with types of materials which are useful as light absorbers, emitters, sensitisers, etc. for a wide variety of applications. A detailed discussion is presented on the photochemical processes occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere, including discussion of important current aspects such as ozone depletion. Two important distinct, but interconnected, applications of photochemistry are in photocatalytic treatment of wastes and in solar energy conversion. Semiconductor photochemistry plays an important role in these and is discussed with reference to both of these areas. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are of major importance in many chemical, biological and medical applications of photochemistry, and are discussed in depth. The following chapters discuss the relevance of using light in medicine, both with various types of phototherapy and in medical diagnostics. The development of optical sensors and probes is closely related to diagnostics, but is also relevant to many other applications, and is discussed separately. Important aspects of applied photochemistry in electronics and imaging, through processes such as photolithography, are discussed and it is shown how this is allowing the increasing miniaturisation of semiconductor devices for a wide variety of electronics applications and the development of nanometer scale devices. The final two chapters provide the basic ideas necessary to set up a photochemical laboratory and to characterise excited states. This book is aimed at those in science, engineering and medicine who are interested in applying photochemistry in a broad spectrum of areas. Each chapter has the basic theories and methods for its particular applications and directs the reader to the current, important literature in the field, making Applied Photochemistry suitable for both the novice and the experienced photochemist.

Written by Professor Scaiano, the Canada Research Chair in Applied Photochemistry at the University of Ottawa, Photochemistry Essentials is a concise introduction aimed at researchers and students who want to learn the essential principles of photochemistry, how to use light as a tool, and how to apply the concepts of photochemistry to their research.

The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

This anthological description of the history and applications of photochemistry provides photochemistry practitioners with complementary information about the field, currently not covered in existing textbooks and handbooks. The first part focuses on the historical development of the field, including light-matter interaction, the discovery of photochemical reactions and the development of modern photochemical mechanisms. This section provides useful background to the second part which outlines applications of photochemistry in the present day, such as in synthesis, green chemistry, diagnostics, medicine and nanotechnology. Furthermore, the author provides an outlook on promising areas for future developments. The broad scope of “Photochemistry: Past, Present and Future” is also of interest to the wider chemical audience and it makes a pleasant read while not compromising on scientific rigor.

Photochemistry is an important part of both chemistry and biology and is of great practical significance for the development of sustainable sources of energy. The mechanisms of photochemistry are far from trivial and far from understood. There are limits to how well theory can describe the processes and how well experiments can resolve them. This book aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art methods for both theoretical development and experimental techniques, with a focus on ultrafast molecular processes and electronic excitation of organic molecules. These fields are active and progress is being made, carried by the increasing speed of computation and the development of new light sources, most notably X-ray sources at large facilities. Alongside these two layers of theoretical development and experimental techniques is a third layer—model building. In this layer, model building tries to find similarities in seemingly unrelated experimental results and deepen our general knowledge of photoinduced processes. Often, progress is made not by cutting-edge techniques but rather by using well-established techniques with a great variety of molecules—this approach promises less glory but is just as important as the first two layers. Examples mentioned in the text are the Woodward–Hoffman rules and the dynamophore concept. All three layers are crucial to push our knowledge further and, eventually, to use it for developing new and more advanced optical devices.

Organic Photochemistry outlines the principles, techniques and well-known reactions occurring in organic molecules and also illustrates more complex photochemical transformations occurring in organic chemistry. Many photochemical transformations convert simple molecules into extremely complex products with an ease not approached by the standard synthetic chemistry practiced in the laboratory. In the earlier chapters, the author outlines the principles, techniques and some of the well-known reactions occurring in organic molecules and later illustrates more complex photochemical transformations occuring in organic chemistry. Experimental techniques are included to encourage novices. Topics are emphasized where structural transformations can be formulated chemically. Practical applications are collected together. The book starts at a comfortably simple level with enough examples to provide an introduction to the diversity of photochemical reactions. Includes experimental techniques to encourage novices Emphasizes topics where structural transformations can be formulated chemically Collects and presents practical applications Written in a simple style including enough examples to serve as an introduction to the diversity of photochemical reactions