New Insights into the Mechanism of Visible Light Photocatalysis

Abstract

In recent years, the area of developing visible-light-active photocatalysts based on titanium dioxide has been enormously investigated due to its wide range of applications in energy and environment related fields. Various strategies have been designed to efficiently utilize the solar radiation and to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic processes. Building on the fundamental strategies to improve the visible light activity of TiO2-based photocatalysts, this Perspective aims to give an insight into many contemporary developments in the field of visible-light-active photocatalysis. Various examples of advanced TiO2 composites have been discussed in relation to their visible light induced photoconversion efficiency, dynamics of electron-hole separation, and decomposition of organic and inorganic pollutants, which suggest the critical need for further development of these types of materials for energy conversion and environmental remediation purposes.

New evidence for Cu-decorated binary-oxides mediating bacterial inactivation/mineralization in aerobic media

“…The low level found for Ti and Cu also suggests that the Escherichia coli disinfection occurs through an oligodynamic effect [12,13]. The present study addresses new features for films activated by low intensity solar light leading to bacterial inactivation compared to other antibacterial films [14,15]. The bacterial inactivation/mineralization in aerobic media is reported and the identification of the OH • -radical was determined quantitatively.…”

Nanotechnology Solutions for Global Water Challenges

“…While more photons can be utilized, narrower band gap materials have a smaller voltage window to drive the redox reactions at the interface (75). The number of publications concerning the photocatalytic disinfection of water using novel visible light active materials is increasing and there are several good reviews concerning visible light active photocatalytic materials (8,15,75).…”

“…The number of publications concerning the photocatalytic disinfection of water using novel visible light active materials is increasing and there are several good reviews concerning visible light active photocatalytic materials (8,15,75).…”

Insight into the catalyst/photocatalyst microstructure presenting the same composition but leading to a variance in bacterial reduction under indoor visible light

“…Recent results have reported by Pillai et al [18][19][20], Espirito-Santo et al [21,22], Borkow et al [23,24], Liu et al [25], Dionysiou et al [26,27] and Bahneman et al [28] for disinfection on surfaces energized by solar irradiation. Because of its unique electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties, Cu 2 O has been used in catalysis/photocatalysis [29] and in solar energy conversion into electrical energy [30][31][32].…”