Area Of Photocatalysis Research Articles

Photocatalytic decontamination and disinfection of water with solar collectors

In recent years, there has been a tremendous amount of research and development in the area of photocatalysis, a process included in a special class of oxidation techniques defined as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), all characterized by the same chemical feature, production of OH radicals. This paper reviews the use of sunlight to produce the OH radicals. The systems necessary for performing solar photocatalysis are described. The paper also summarizes most of the research related to solar photocatalytic degradation of water contaminants carried out during recent years, and how it could significantly contribute to the treatment of very persistent toxic compounds. Various solar reactors for photocatalytic water treatment based mainly on non-concentrating collectors erected during the last few years are also described in detail in this review, as well as the use of the solar photocatalytic processes to inactivate microorganisms present in water, placing special emphasis on some experimental systems erected to optimize this disinfecting technique.

Photocatalytic water treatment: solar energy applications

During the past 20 years research and development in the area of photocatalysis have been tremendous. One of the major applications of this technology is the degradation of organic pollutants in water and air streams which is considered as one of the so-called advanced oxidation processes. This overview briefly describes the basic principles of photocatalysis, focusing in particular on important mechanistic and kinetic aspects as well as on some requirements for efficient photocatalysts. Since the comparatively high costs associated with the generation of light from electricity constitute one of the major drawbacks particularly for the rapid commercialization of photocatalytic water treatment units, solar photons have been utilized here with great success for many years now. Various solar reactors for the photocatalytic water treatment are described in detail in the main part of this review including the comparison of their overall performance.

Recent Developments in Photocatalysis

AbstractThis article reviews some recent developments in the area of photocatalysis. These include the development of methods for preparing nanocrystalline (Q‐sized) TiO2, the doping and promotion of titania to improve its photoreactivity, recent studies of reaction mechanisms, the introduction of other oxide photocatalysts, and recent advances in the design of reactors for photocatalysis. It is concluded that practical implementation of photocatalysis, particularly in environmental applications, is now close to reality.

Recent advances in heterogeneous TiO2 photocatalysis

Current progress in the area of photocatalysis is presented, particularly regarding technological applications. Highly efficient TiO2 films on different substrates such as tile and glass have been developed for indoor environmental clean-up. TiO2 films coated on SiO2-precoated soda lime glass showed about 80% transparency and high photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of thin oil films. A novel phenomenon, superhydrophilicity, has been observed on these transparent TiO2 coatings. In addition, we have made use of a microelectrode system to monitor oxidation and reduction products separately. The mechanistic and kinetic aspects of TiO2 photocatalysis are discussed.