Chemical Photocatalysis

Visible light is an abundant source of energy. While the conversion of light energy into electrical energy (photovoltaics) is highly developed and commercialized, the use of visible light in chemical synthesis is far less explored. Chemical photocatalysts that mimic principles of biological photosynthesis utilize visible light to drive endothermic or kinetically hindered reactions. This work summarizes in 16 chapters the state of the art and the challenges of this emerging future technology.

Visible light is an abundant source of energy. While the conversion of light energy into electrical energy (photovoltaics) is highly developed and commercialized, the use of visible light in chemical synthesis is far less explored. Chemical photocatalysts that mimic principles of biological photosynthesis utilize visible light to drive endothermic or kinetically hindered reactions.

This book describes the photocatalytic mechanism, factors affecting photocatalytic activity, design and preparation of different kinds of nanostructured photocatalysts, and their applications in the environmental and energy fields. Further, it illustrates a broad range of modification methods including ion-doping, heterojunction, noble metal deposition, morphological control and sensitizations, which are used to extend the light absorption range of photocatalysts and reduce recombination between electrons and holes. Promising applications include water splitting, contaminant decomposition and photocatalytic reduction of CO2, which are closely related to environmental redemption and new energy development. The book offers an intriguing and useful guide for a broad readership in various fields of catalysis, material sciences, environment and energy.

Filling the need for a ready reference that reflects the vast developments in this field, this book presents everything from fundamentals, applications, various reaction types, and technical applications. Edited by rising stars in the scientific community, the text focuses solely on visible light photocatalysis in the context of organic chemistry. This primarily entails photoinduced electron transfer and energy transfer chemistry sensitized by polypyridyl complexes, yet also includes the use of organic dyes and heterogeneous catalysts. A valuable resource to the synthetic organic community, polymer and medicinal chemists, as well as industry professionals.

Discover the latest research in photocatalysis combined with foundational topics in basic physical and chemical photocatalytic processes In Heterogeneous Photocatalysis: From Fundamentals to Applications in Energy Conversion and Depollution, distinguished researcher and editor Jennifer Strunk delivers a rigorous discussion of the two main topics in her field—energy conversion and depollution reactions. The book covers topics like water splitting, CO2 reduction, NOx abatement and harmful organics degradation. In addition to the latest research on these topics, the reference provides readers with fundamental information about elementary physical and chemical processes in photocatalysis that are extremely practical in this interdisciplinary field. It offers an excellent overview of modern heterogeneous photocatalysis and combines concepts from different viewpoints to allow researchers with backgrounds as varied as electrochemistry, material science, and semiconductor physics to begin developing solutions with photocatalysis. In addition to subjects like metal-free photocatalysts and photocarrier loss pathways in metal oxide absorber materials for photocatalysis explored with time-resolved spectroscopy, readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: Thorough introductions to kinetic and thermodynamic considerations for photocatalyst design and the logic, concepts, and methods of the design of reliable studies on photocatalysis Detailed explorations of in-situ spectroscopy for mechanistic studies in semiconductor photocatalysis and the principles and limitations of photoelectrochemical fuel generation Discussions of photocatalysis, including the heterogeneous catalysis perspective and insights into photocatalysis from computational chemistry Treatments of selected aspects of photoreactor engineering and defects in photocatalysis Perfect for photochemists, physical and catalytic chemists, electrochemists, and materials scientists, Heterogeneous Photocatalysis will also earn a place in the libraries of surface physicists and environmental chemists seeking up-to-date information about energy conversion and depollution reactions.

From environmental remediation to alternative fuels, this book explores the numerous important applications of photocatalysis. The book covers topics such as the photocatalytic processes in the treatment of water and air; the fundamentals of solar photocatalysis; the challenges involved in developing self-cleaning photocatalytic materials; photocatalytic hydrogen generation; photocatalysts in the synthesis of chemicals; and photocatalysis in food packaging and biomedical and medical applications. The book also critically discusses concepts for the future of photocatalysis, providing a fascinating insight for researchers. Together with Photocatalysis: Fundamentals and Perspectives, these volumes provide a complete overview to photocatalysis.

The book explains the principles and fundamentals of photocatalysis and highlights the current developments and future potential of the green-chemistry-oriented applications of various inorganic, organic, and hybrid photocatalysts. The book consists of eleven chapters, including the principles and fundamentals of heterogeneous photocatalysis; the mechanisms and dynamics of surface photocatalysis; research on TiO2-based composites with unique nanostructures; the latest developments and advances in exploiting photocatalyst alternatives to TiO2; and photocatalytic materials for applications other than the traditional degradation of pollutants, such as carbon dioxide reduction, water oxidation, a complete spectrum of selective organic transformations and water splitting by photocatalytic reduction. In addition, heterogeneized polyoxometalate materials for photocatalytic purposes and the proper design of photocatalytic reactors and modeling of light are also discussed. This book appeals to a wide readership of the academic and industrial researchers and it can also be used in the classroom for undergraduate and graduate students focusing on heterogeneous photocatalysis, sustainable chemistry, energy conversion and storage, nanotechnology, chemical engineering, environmental protection, optoelectronics, sensors, and surface and interface science. Juan Carlos Colmenares is a Professor at the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland. Yi-Jun Xu is a Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, China.

This book provides much-needed reviews of fast-developing areas of 2D-related photo(electro)catalytic materials.