Energy Resources through Photochemistry and Catalysis reviews the state of the art in the development of energy conversion devices based on catalytic and photochemical reactions. The focus is on catalysis of redox reactions and their application to the photocleavage of water, reduction of carbon dioxide, and fixation of nitrogen. Some fundamental aspects of catalysis as it relates to processes of light energy harvesting and charge separation in photochemical or photoelectrochemical conversion systems are also discussed. This monograph is comprised of 16 chapters covering light-induced redox reactions and reaction dynamics in organized assemblies such as micelles, colloidal metals, or semiconductors, together with strategies for molecular engineering of artificial photosynthetic devices. The principles of electrochemical conversion of light energy via semiconductor electrodes or semiconducting particles are also considered. Furthermore, thermodynamic characteristics for some reactions that can be utilized for storage of solar energy in the form of chemical energy are examined. The remaining chapters look at the role of porphyrins in natural and artificial photosynthesis; the use of semiconductor powders and particulate systems for photocatalysis and photosynthesis; and hydrogen-generating solar cells based on platinum-group metal activated photocathodes. This text will be a useful resource for scientists and policymakers concerned with finding alternative sources of energy.

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.

The intellectual and utilitarian opportunities that lie at the frontiers of chemistry have been recently emphasized by the Pimentel Report. Such report recommends that in the field of chemical research priority should be given to "understanding chemical reactivity" and proposes initiatives aimed at the clarification of factors that control the rates of reaction and the development of new synthetic pathways for chemical change. In the broad field of chemical reactivity, a discipline that has grown with an extraordinary rate is photochemistry. Since the knowledge of the photochemical properties at the molecular level has made a substantial progress in the last few years, there is currently a trend to study more and more complex photochemical systems. In particular, an emerging and rapidly expanding branch of photochemistry is that concerning studies of assemblies of molecular components properly combined so as to obtain light-induced functions (supramolecular photochemistry). Although much of the current work in supramolecular photochemistry is fundamental in nature, it is clear that progress in this field will be most rewarding for several applications concerning the interaction of light with matter. In particular, it will allow us to pursue research aimed at the photochemical conversion of solar energy by means of artificial systems and to make progress towards futuristic branches of science called "photonics" (photo-generated electron migration processes on a molecular basis) and "chemionics" (design of components, circuitry, and information treatment at the molecular level).

Materials Science in Photocatalysis provides a complete overview of the different semiconductor materials, from titania to third-generation photocatalysts, examining the increasing complexity and novelty of the materials science in photocatalytic materials. The book describes the most recommended synthesis procedure for each of them and the suitable characterization techniques for determining the optical, structural, morphological, and physical-chemical properties. The most suitable applications of the photocatalysts are described in detail, as well as their environmental applications for wastewater treatment, gaseous effluents depollution, water splitting, CO2 ?xation, selective organic synthesis, coupling reactions, and other selective transformations under both UV light and visible-light irradiation. This book offers a useful reference for a wide audience from students studying chemical engineering and materials chemistry to experienced researchers working on chemical engineering, materials science, materials engineering, environment engineering, nanotechnology, and green chemistry. - Includes a complete overview of the different semiconductor materials used as photocatalysts - Describes methods of preparation and characterization of photocatalysts and their applications - Examines new possibilities to prepare effective photocatalysts

Focusing on complex naturally-occurring and synthetic supramolecular arrays, this work describes the mechanism by which transition metal complexes bind to DNA and how the DNA scaffold modifies the photochemical and photophysical properties to bound complexes. It includes details of photoinduced electron transfer between intercalated molecules, and examines thermally and photochemically induced electron transfer in supramolecular assemblies consisting of inorganic molecular building blocks.

This book provides a quantitative assessment of the advances in the area of catalysis and kinetics in microheterogeneous systems. It is an invaluable resource for chemists interested in catalysis and reaction kinetics, and physicists interested in semiconductors, metal clusters and catalysis.