The Study of Photoactive Materials

Abstract

Laboratory “Photoactive Nanocomposite Materials” was established at Saint-Petersburg State University within the Program of the Government of the Russian Federation designed to support research projects implemented under the supervision of the world’s leading scientists in 2014. Research activities of the of the Laboratory are directed toward development and exploration of novel photoactive materials to achieve higher activity, selectivity and spectral sensitivity of such materials in various pohotporocesses. In this review we present major research directions elaborated in the Laboratory and the corresponding results achieved from the beginning of its research activity to the present day. The research activities of the Laboratory start from the exploration of the basic principles of design and functional behavior of photoactive materials and fundamental mechanisms of photoprocesses taking place in the bulk and at the surfaces that further results in the creation of nanocomposite materials and heterostructures with desired photoresponses, based on purposeful design of their structures and interfaces that might lead to the improvement of their functional behavior and characteristics for practical applications in different areas such as heterogeneous photocatalysis, functional nanocoatings, photoelectrochemistry, solar energy conversion, sensors, photonics and optoelectronics.