Emerging Trends In Tio2 Photocatalysis And Applications

The semiconductor titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been evolved as a prototypical material to understand the photocatalytic process, and has been demonstrated for various photocatalytic applications such as pollutants degradation, water splitting, heavy metal reduction, CO2 conversion, N2 fixation, bacterial disinfection, etc. Rigorous photocatalytic studies on TiO2 have paved the way to understanding the various chemical processes involved and the physical parameters (optical and electrical) required to design and construct diverse photocatalytic systems. Accordingly, it has been realized that an effective photocatalyst should have ideal band edge potential, narrow band gap energy, reduced charge recombination, enhanced charge separation, improved interfacial charge transfer, surface-rich catalytic sites, etc. As a result, many strategies have been developed to design a variety of photocatalytic systems, which include doping, composite formation, sensitization, co-catalyst loading, etc. Towards highlighting the above-mentioned diversities in TiO2 photocatalysis, there have been many interesting original research works on TiO2, involving material designs for various photocatalytic applications published in this Special Issue. In addition, some excellent review papers have also been published in this Special Issue, focusing on the various TiO2-based photocatalytic systems and their mechanisms and applications.

The semiconductor titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been evolved as a prototypical material to understand the photocatalytic process, and has been demonstrated for various photocatalytic applications such as pollutants degradation, water splitting, heavy metal reduction, CO2 conversion, N2 fixation, bacterial disinfection, etc. Rigorous photocatalytic studies on TiO2 have paved the way to understanding the various chemical processes involved and the physical parameters (optical and electrical) required to design and construct diverse photocatalytic systems. Accordingly, it has been realized that an effective photocatalyst should have ideal band edge potential, narrow band gap energy, reduced charge recombination, enhanced charge separation, improved interfacial charge transfer, surface-rich catalytic sites, etc. As a result, many strategies have been developed to design a variety of photocatalytic systems, which include doping, composite formation, sensitization, co-catalyst loading, etc. Towards highlighting the above-mentioned diversities in TiO2 photocatalysis, there have been many interesting original research works on TiO2, involving material designs for various photocatalytic applications published in this Special Issue. In addition, some excellent review papers have also been published in this Special Issue, focusing on the various TiO2-based photocatalytic systems and their mechanisms and applications.

Although the seminal work of Fujishima et al. dates back to 1971, TiO2 still remains the most diffused and studied semiconductor, employed in photo-oxidation processes for cleantech (i.e., polluted water and air treatment), in solar fuel production (mainly hydrogen production by water photo splitting), and in Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) processes by CO2 photoreduction. The eleven articles, among them three reviews, in this book cover recent results and research trends of various aspects of titanium dioxide photocatalysis, with the chief aim of improving the final efficiency of TiO2-based materials. Strategies include doping, metal co-catalyst deposition, and the realization of composites with plasmonic materials, other semiconductors, and graphene. Photocatalysts with high efficiency and selectivity can be also obtained by controlling the precise crystal shape (and homogeneous size) and the organization in superstructures from ultrathin films to hierarchical nanostructures. Finally, the theoretical modeling of TiO2 nanoparticles is discussed and highlighted. The range of topics addressed in this book will stimulate the reader’s interest as well as provide a valuable source of information for researchers in academia and industry.

Over the past few decades, mankind has observed an unprecedented and remarkable growth in industry, resulting in a more prosperous lifestyle for peoples of many countries. In developing countries, however, explosive industrial growth is just now beginning to raise the living standards of the people. Most industries, especially in these developing countries, are still powered by the burning of fossil fuels; con- quently, a lack of clean energy resources has caused environmental pollution on an unprecedented large and global scale. Toxic wastes have been relentlessly released into the air and water leading to serious and devastating environmental and health problems while endangering the planet and life itself with the effects of global warming. To address these urgent environmental issues, new catalytic and photocatalytic processes as well as open-atmospheric systems are presently being developed that can operate at room temperature while being totally clean and ef?cient and thus environmentally harmonious. Essential to technologies harnessing the abundant solar energy that reaches the earth are the highly functional photocatalytic proce- es that can utilize not only UV light, but also visible light.

This book enlightens the type, chemical structure, and application of photo-catalysts. It covers the recent developments in photo-catalysts and their applications, particularly in photo-catalytic degradation of different organic pollutants, hydrogen production, etc. It provides a concise but complete coverage and overview of photocatalysts and their recent advances for a broad audience: beginners, graduate students, and specialists in both academic and industrial sectors.

Explore the intriguing world of photocatalysis with Introduction to Photocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications. This book explores the complexities of photocatalytic processes, investigating the contributing elements, nano-photocatalyst manufacturing methodologies, and their wide applications in the energy and environmental sectors. Additionally, sophisticated modification approaches that may be used to improve the efficiency of visible light-driven processes (such as doping and plasmonics photocatalysis) are discussed. Key features include novel methodologies of photocatalysts, providing an insight on fundamentals and methodology; and examples of efficient applications of photocatalysis such as wastewater treatment, hydrogen production and CO2 reduction. Later chapters discuss the commercial aspects of photocatalysis to help guide future entrepreneurs. The book is useful for advanced undergraduates, and graduate students in a range of subjects such as physics, biotechnology, and biochemistry. This book will also prove invaluable for researchers and scientists in photocatalysis, and chemical engineers and chemists in industry R&D working on wastewater treatment and renewable sources of energy. It stands out as a modernized version of current literature that bridges the gap between scholars and students.

Scientific interest in TiO2-based materials has exponentially grown in the last few decades. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Its Applications introduces the main physicochemical properties of TiO2 which are the basis of its applications in various fields. While the basic principles of the TiO2 properties have been the subject of various previous publications, this book is mainly devoted to TiO2 applications. The book includes contributions written by experts from a wide range of disciplines in order to address titanium dioxide's utilization in energy, consumer, materials, devices, and catalytic applications. The various applications identified include: photocatalysis, catalysis, optics, electronics, energy storage and production, ceramics, pigments, cosmetics, sensors, and heat transfer. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Its Applications is suitable for a wide readership in the disciplines of materials science, chemistry, and engineering in both academia and industry. Includes a wide range of current and emerging applications of titanium dioxide in the fields of energy, consumer applications, materials, and devices Provides a brief overview of titanium dioxide and its properties, as well as techniques to design, deposit, and study the material Discusses the relevant properties, preparation methods, and other apposite considerations in each application-focused chapter