Advanced Photocatalysts For Energy Conversion And Environmental Applications

Photocatalysis is an advanced technique that transforms solar energy into sustainable fuels and oxidizes pollutants via the aid of semiconductor photocatalysts. The main scientific and technological challenges toward effective photocatalysis are the stability, robustness, and efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts. For major practical applications in energy conversion (i.e., hydrogen evolution, CO2 reduction, and oriented synthesis) and environmental remediation (i.e., air purification and antibacterial and wastewater treatment), highly efficient and stable photocatalysts need to be developed. This Special Issue collects published original researches on synthesizing novel photocatalytic materials and their application in energy conversion and environmental remediation.

Research for the development of more efficient photocatalysts has experienced an almost exponential growth since its popularization in early 1970’s. Despite the advantages of the widely used TiO2, the yield of the conversion of sun power into chemical energy that can be achieved with this material is limited prompting the research and development of a number of structural, morphological and chemical modifications of TiO2 , as well as a number of novel photocatalysts with very different composition. Design of Advanced Photocatalytic Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications provides a systematic account of the current understanding of the relationships between the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and photoactivity. The already long list of photocatalysts phases and their modifications is increasing day by day. By approaching this field from a material sciences angle, an integrated view allows readers to consider the diversity of photocatalysts globally and in connection with other technologies. Design of Advanced Photocatalytic Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications provides a valuable road-map, outlining the common principles lying behind the diversity of materials, but also delimiting the imprecise border between the contrasted results and the most speculative studies. This broad approach makes it ideal for specialist but also for engineers, researchers and students in related fields.

This book presents photocatalysis as a state-of-art technology in energy production and conversion. The ever increasing demand for energy with growing economies has led to a dearth of energy sources. The exhaustive dependability on non-renewable resources of energy has not just depleted them but also lead to the birth of secondary problems such as pollution and climate change. The photoactive processes have opened a new window for the production of green energy and helped in environmental sustainability. The harnessing of renewable sources especially sun and water for fuel production and noxious gases reduction solve both the issues of pollution mitigation and energy crisis.

This book highlights sustainable methods with photocatalytic activities to remediate environment and for energy conversion. The related photocatalytic materials are discussed in detail. Some significant photocatalytic applications in degrading industrial pollutants that include different organic dyes, purifying the polluted air, converting CO2 to alcohol fuels, storing energy from sunlight as ammonia by converting N2 to NH3, and splitting water by optimizing the oxygen evolution process are thoroughly elucidated. The chapters introduce the necessary materials and results, leading to a better conceptualization in order to work in the field of photocatalysis. Some related perspectives and outlooks are discussed in the last chapter for possible future developments.

Heterostructured Photocatalysts for Solar Energy Conversion provides a comprehensive description of novel z-scheme hybrid materials based on metal oxide or chalcogenides-based semiconductor, or carbon-based nanomaterials (conducting polymers, graphene, and other carbon materials). The book explores energy conversion applications, such as hydrogen generation, water splitting, CO2 reduction or degradation of organic pollutants, and their associated new material and technology development. The book addresses a variety of topics, such as photochemical processes, materials and fabrication, degradation mechanisms, as well as challenges and strategies. The book includes in-depth discussions ranging from comprehensive understanding, to engineering of materials and applied devices. The concept of visible light active catalysis emerged in recent decades and continues to attract the scientific community. Driven primarily by an opportunity to develop novel multifunctional materials on one hand, and sustainable technologies on the other, several successful approaches have been explored. However, preparation, characterization, and application of visible light active Z-scheme heterojunction-based catalytic nanostructures are still at the foreground of research activity. Provides an overview on recently developed Z-scheme photocatalysts to stress their performance as catalysts Covers most of the important topics in photocatalysis Explores the most recent advances in synthesis to enable deeper understanding of the principles underlying electronic behavior of catalytic nanostructures, mechanistic details, and the evaluation of their effectiveness, as well as perspectives in solar light harvesting Serves as a valuable resource for better understanding of the current state of photocatalysis research and its possible applications in energy domain

This book explains the basic and fundamental aspects of nanotechnology and the potential use of nanostructured photocatalysts in various applications, especially in the context of the environment and energy harvesting. It describes the preparation and characterization of unique nanostructured photocatalysts and provides details of their catalytic action, and also discusses the design of new types of photocatalysts with controlled nanostructures. Given its broad scope, the book will appeal to academic and industrial researchers interested in heterogeneous photocatalysis, sustainable chemistry, energy conversion and storage, nanotechnology, chemical engineering, environmental protection, optoelectronics, sensors and surface and interface science.

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.

This comprehensive book systematically covers the fundamentals in solar energy conversion to chemicals, either fuels or chemical products. It includes natural photosynthesis with emphasis on artificial processes for solar energy conversion and utilization. The chemical processes of solar energy conversion via homogeneous and/or heterogeneous photocatalysis has been described with the mechanistic insights. It also consists of reaction systems toward a variety of applications, such as water splitting for hydrogen or oxygen evolution, photocatalytic CO2 reduction to fuels, and light driven N2 fixation, etc. This unique book offers the readers a broad view of solar energy utilization based on chemical processes and their perspectives for future sustainability.

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.

Nanostructured Photocatalysts: From Fundamental to Practical Applications offers a good opportunity for academic, industrial researchers and engineers to gain insights on the fundamental principles and updated knowledge on the engineering aspects and various practical applications of photocatalysis. This book comprehensively and systematically reviews photocatalytic fundamental aspects, ranging from reaction mechanism, kinetic modeling, nanocatalyst synthesis and design, essential material characterization using advanced techniques, and novel reactor design and scale-up. Future perspectives, techno-economical evaluation and lifecycle assessment of photocatalytic processes are also provided. Finally, a wide range of practical, important and emerging photocatalytic applications, namely wastewater treatment, air pollution remediation, renewable and green energy generation, and vital chemical production are thoroughly covered, making this book useful and beneficial for engineers, scientists, academic researchers, undergraduates and postgraduates. Provides a fundamental understanding of photocatalysis Covers all aspects of recent developments in photocatalytic processes and photocatalytic materials Focuses on advanced photocatalytic applications and future research advancements on energy, environment, biomedical, and other specialty fields Contains contributions from leading international experts in photocatalysis Presents a valuable reference for academic and industrial researchers, scientists and engineers