Fundamentals Of Photocatalysis

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.

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.

In chemistry, photocatalysis refers to the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst. Various aspects and applications of this process are described in the six chapters of this book. Chapter One addresses the reduction and oxidation of heavy metals by the photocatalytic process to produce less toxic forms, thus reducing pollution. Chapter Two reviews some issues of photocatalytic reactions which may have been overlooked in other reports. Chapter Three deals with the utilization of ZnO-CdO nanoblocks as adsorbent and efficient solar photocatalysts towards brilliant cresol blue degradation. Chapter Four explains heterogeneous photocatalysis through the use of titanium and tungsten oxide nanostructures. Chapter Five reports the fabrication and evaluation of TiO2 nanowires supported on graphene and sensitized with Ag in a unique hierarchical three-dimensional sandwich structure. Lastly, Chapter Six provides an overview of recent achievements in C-N bond formation reactions triggered by visible light-induced DDQ-photoredox catalysis.

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.

Contributors from around the world offer wide-ranging (and sometimes controversial) discussions of the state of research in photocatalysis. Emphasis is on the surface science of catalysis, especially at the gas/solid interface. Eighteen chapters explore topics ranging from the interaction between light and matter, colloidal semiconductors, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of photocatalysis, to photocatalysis in homogeneous and heterogeneous phases, photo-electrocatalysis, and catalysis in energy production and water purification.

Metal Oxide-Based Photocatalysis: Fundamentals and Prospects for Application explains the principles and fundamentals of metal oxide-based photocatalysis and the requirements necessary for their use in photocatalysis. It also discusses preparation methods for photocatalysis, and the advantages, disadvantages and achievements of the most important metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, Ta2O3, CuO, NiO, Cr2O3, RuO2, etc.). The book concludes with the most important photocatalytic applications and an overview of the future. Applications are organized by potential needs and solutions, addressing such areas as water treatment, hydrogen production, air treatment, chemical synthesis, and applications in medicine and construction. Provides coverage of applications, presenting needs and solutions Covers essential applications, such as water treatment, hydrogen production, air depollution, medical applications, and much more Includes the characterization of the most important metal oxides used in heterogeneous photocatalysis

A comprehensive and timely overview of this important and hot topic, with special emphasis placed on environmental applications and the potential for solar light harvesting. Following introductory chapters on environmental photocatalysis, water splitting, and applications in synthetic chemistry, further chapters focus on the synthesis and design of photocatalysts, solar energy conversion, and such environmental aspects as the removal of water pollutants, photocatalytic conversion of CO2. Besides metal oxide-based photocatalysts, the authors cover other relevant material classes including carbon-based nanomaterials and novel hybrid materials. Chapters on mechanistic aspects, computational modeling of photocatalysis and Challenges and perspectives of solar reactor design for industrial applications complete this unique survey of the subject. With its in-depth discussions ranging from a comprehensive understanding to the engineering of materials and applied devices, this is an invaluable resource for a range of disciplines.

Presenting the basic science of semiconductor photocatalysis together with the various practical applications, this textbook is ideal for graduate students. It covers fundamental principles and applicable techniques of light, solid state physics, electrochemistry, reaction kinetics, and materials processing. A solid understanding of semiconductor photoelectrochemistry is developed through discussing the basic properties of a representative photocatalytic material, TiO2; the basic science of the light absorption phenomenon and the application to the powder suspension useful for the photocatalytic research; and the electronic state of semiconductors. Following this, the textbook moves on to explore photoelectrochemistry; the mechanism and kinetic analysis of photocatalytic reactions; typical fabrication methods of common photocatalysts and the factors for improving photocatalytic activity; and evaluation methods of photocatalytic activity. The textbook concludes by looking at the future prospects of the applications of photocatalysis. This introductory textbook provides a foundation in photocatalysis to supplement graduate courses in catalysis, environmental science, materials science and chemical engineering.