This thesis describes novel strategies for the rational design of several cutting-edge high-efficiency photocatalysts, for applications such as water photooxidation, reduction, and overall splitting using a Z-Scheme system. As such, it focuses on efficient strategies for reducing energy loss by controlling charge transfer and separation, including novel faceted forms of silver phosphate for water photooxidation at record high rates, surface-basic highly polymerised graphitic carbon nitride for extremely efficient hydrogen production, and the first example of overall water splitting using a graphitic carbon nitride-based Z-Scheme system. Photocatalytic water splitting using solar irradiation can potentially offer a zero-carbon renewable energy source, yielding hydrogen and oxygen as clean products. These two ‘solar’ products can be used directly in fuel cells or combustion to provide clean electricity or other energy. Alternatively they can be utilised as separate entities for feedstock-based reactions, and are considered to be the two cornerstones of hydrogenation and oxidation reactions, including the production of methanol as a safe/portable fuel, or conventional catalytic reactions such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and ethylene oxide production. The main driving force behind the investigation is the fact that no photocatalyst system has yet reported combined high efficiency, high stability, and cost effectiveness; though cheap and stable, most suffer from low efficiency.

Reflecting the R&D efforts in the field that have resulted in a plethora of novel applications over the past decade, this handbook gives a comprehensive overview of the tangible benefits of nanotechnology in catalysis. By bridging fundamental research and industrial development, it provides a unique perspective on this scientifically and economically important field. While the first three parts are devoted to preparation and characterization of nanocatalysts, the final three provide in-depth insights into their applications in the fine chemicals industry, the energy industry, and for environmental protection, with expert authors reporting on real-life applications that are on the brink of commercialization. Timely reading for catalytic chemists, materials scientists, chemists in industry, and process engineers.

Semiconductors for Photocatalysis, Volume 97 covers the latest breakthrough research and exciting developments in semiconductor photocatalysts and electrodes for water splitting and CO2 reduction. It includes a broad range of materials such as metal-oxides, metal-nitrides, silicon, III-V semiconductors, and the emerging layered compounds. New to this volume are chapters covering the Fundamentals of Semiconductor Photoelectrodes, Charge Carrier Dynamics in Metal Oxide Photoelectrodes for Water Oxidation, Photophysics and Photochemistry at the Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface for Solar Water Splitting, V Semiconductor Photoelectrodes, III-Nitride Semiconductor Photoelectrodes, and Rare Earth Containing Materials for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Applications. In addition, the design and modeling of photocatalysts and photoelectrodes and the fundamental mechanisms of water splitting and CO2 reduction is also discussed. Features the latest breakthroughs and research and development in semiconductor photocatalysis, solar fuels, and artificial photosynthesis Covers a broad range of topics, including a wide variety of materials and many important aspects of solar fuels Includes in-depth discussions on materials design, growth and synthesis, engineering, characterization, and photoelectrochemical studies

Visible Light Active Structured Photocatalysts for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants: Science and Engineering addresses the potential role of visible active photocatalytic processes for the removal of emerging contaminants. The book discusses the classification, sources and potential risks of emerging pollutants in water as well as the different synthesis methods of visible active structured photocatalysts with relation to their applications in photocatalytic processes for the removal of organic and inorganic emerging contaminants. Finally, the possible reaction pathways occurring during the visible or solar photocatalytic processes together with toxicity assessment are discussed. The book is a useful guide for academics, researchers and technicians in chemical engineering, chemistry and environmental sciences. Defines emerging contaminants and what can be included in that group of contaminants commonly named "contaminants of emerging concern" Presents different synthesis methods of visible active structured photocatalysts and their applications in solar or visible light photocatalytic systems for the removal of organic and inorganic emerging contaminants Analyzes reaction pathways that occur during the visible or solar photocatalytic processes, also including toxicity assessments

UV-Visible Photocatalysis for Clean Energy Production and Pollution Remediation Comprehensive resource detailing fundamentals of photocatalysis, clean energy production, and pollution treatment, as well as recent developments in each field UV-Visible Photocatalysis for Clean Energy Production and Pollution Remediation: Materials, Reaction Mechanisms, and Applications provides current developments in photocatalytic reactions for both inorganic and organic-based materials which operate under UV-visible light or sunlight irradiation, with a focus on the fundamentals and applications in clean energy production and pollution remediation. The text curates interesting and important research surrounding photocatalysis for hydrogen production, including the fundamentals and photocatalytic remediation of our better environments, which covers the reduction of CO2 and fixation of N2 with H2O under UV-visible light or sunlight irradiation. The first chapter of the book introduces these diverse subjects by including a brief history of the developments of photocatalysis research since around the 1960s. Specific sample topics covered in this book include: Visible-light active photocatalysts in pollutant degradation and conversion with simultaneous hydrogen production Application of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst and the role of the defects on the photocatalytic reactions on ZnO Strategies for promoting overall water splitting with particulate photocatalysts via single-step visible-light photoexcitation Polymeric carbon nitride-based materials in aqueous suspensions for water photo-splitting and photo-reforming of biomass aqueous solutions to generate H2 Visible light-responsive TiO2 thin film photocatalysts for the separate evolution of H2 and O2 from water For chemists, scientists, physicists, and engineers across a wide range of disciplines, UV-Visible Photocatalysis for Clean Energy Production and Pollution Remediation is an essential resource for understanding current developments in photocatalytic reactions on both inorganic and organic-based materials which operate under UV-visible light or sunlight irradiation.

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.

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.