The book collects the lectures and the status reports delivered during the "Eighth International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy", IPS-8, held in Palermo (Italy) from 15th to 20th of July 1990. As usual, the main theme of the Conference was that of making the point about the trends and the developments of the studies related to the photochemical exploitation of solar energy and also to report the main lines of potential applications. Therefore the contributions reflect this point; they vary from those reporting basic and fundamental theories to those reporting cases of possible applications. For the sake of following the logical line which links each other the various contributions, we report the six areas in which the main theme of the conference was devided: (a) Electron and energy transfer in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems; (b) Photosynthesis: organized assemblies and biomimetic systems; (c) Photoelectrochemistry; (d) Photocatalysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous regime; (e) Environment: photochemical and photocatalytic processes; (f) Solar energy materials and photochemical engineering. It remains now to thank persons and institutions which made possible the organization of the Conference. The persons to thank are all the members of the International and National Organizing Committees and in particular Prof. A.Sclafani and Dr. L.Palmisano whose efforts were essential for the success of the Conference.

Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy contains the proceedings of the Third International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy held in Boulder, Colorado, on August 3-8, 1980. The papers review the state of the art in the areas of photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry in the context of solar energy conversion and storage. Topics covered include photosynthetic quantum conversion; biomimetic systems for solar energy conversion; and photochemical electron transfer reactions in homogeneous solutions. This volume is comprised of 11 chapters and begins by describing an artificial photosynthetic system that can capture solar quanta and convert them into a stable chemical form. The discussion then turns to biomimetic approaches to solar energy conversion; fluorescent concentrators for photovoltaic cells; requirements for homogeneous photoredox chemistry in inorganic systems; and the use of inorganic components coupled with catalysts in heterogeneous assemblies for photochemical water splitting. The following chapters focus on photogalvanic cells, electrochemical photovoltaic cells, and photoelectrosynthetic reactions at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface. The final chapter examines the thermodynamic limits on photoconversion and storage of solar energy. This monograph will be of interest to chemists and other scientists concerned with the photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion and storage.

Annotation The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.