This book discusses recent advances in the photocatalytic and electrophotocatalytic applications of titanium dioxide nanocomposites containing polymers and other components. These materials possess photocatalytic, virucidal and antimicrobial efficacy and water and air cleaning abilities against eco-toxicants, and allow water splitting for the generation of chemical fuels. The book considers the ability of nanocomposites’ components to reinforce titania functionality in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis, and presents an overview of their occurrence in nature, their thermodynamic properties, and their toxicity. The volume will be of interest to chemists and material science specialists and practitioners, as well as any reader interested in the recent scientific achievements for green and sustainable development.

This book underscores the essential principles of photocatalysis and provides an update on its scientific foundations, research advances, and current opinions, and interpretations. It consists of an introduction to the concepts that form the backbone of photocatalysis, from the principles of solid-state chemistry and physics to the role of reactive oxidizing species. Having recognised the organic link with chemical kinetics, part of the book describes kinetic concepts as they apply to photocatalysis. The dependence of rate on the reaction conditions and parameters is detailed, the retrospective and prospective aspects of the mechanism of photocatalysis are highlighted, and the adsorption models, photocatalytic rate expressions, and kinetic disguises are examined. This book also discusses the structure, property, and activity relationship of prototypical semiconductor photocatalysts and reviews how to extend their spectral absorption to the visible region to enable the effective use of visible solar spectrum. Lastly, it presents strategies for deriving substantially improved photoactivity from semiconductor materials to support the latest applications and potential trends.

This book examines carbon-based nanocomposite materials and their application in various environmental fields, such as wastewater treatment, and air and soil remediation. Featuring illustrations, and tables summarizing the latest research, it gathers up-to-date information on the application of carbon nanocomposites in the removal of environmental pollutants from different sources. Given its scope, the book is a valuable textbook for research students, and a useful handbook and reference resource for researchers, academics and industrial scientists working in the field of environmental pollutants and their safe removal.

This book addresses electrocatalysis based on chalcogenides, particularly in the nanoscale domain. Special attention is paid to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The book provides an introduction to materials synthesis; the basic principles of electrocatalysis; related precious metal versus non-precious metal catalytic center chalcogenides as well as supports; and the role of such supports in stabilizing the catalytic centers. In short: pursuing a bottom-up approach, it covers the properties of this class of electrocatalysts and examines their applications in low-temperature fuel systems such as microfluidic fuel cells for portable devices. Accordingly, it is ideally suited for all professionals and researchers interested in electrochemistry, renewable energy and electrocatalysis, and non-precious metal centers for chemical energy conversion.

This book comprises a detailed overview on the role of photocatalysts for environmental remediation, hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction. Effective ways to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the material via doping, hybrid material, laser light and nanocomposites have been discussed in this book. The book also further elaborates the role of metal nanoparticles, rare earth doping, sensitizers, surface oxygen vacancy, interface engineering and band gap engineering for enhancing the photocatalytic activity. An approach to recover the photocatalytic material via immobilization is also presented. This book brings to light much of the recent research in the development of such semiconductor photocatalytic systems. The book will thus be of relevance to researchers in the field of: material science, environmental science & technology, photocatalytic applications, newer methods of energy generation & conversion and industrial applications.

This critical volume examines the different methods used for the synthesis of a great number of photocatalysts, including TiO2, ZnO and other modified semiconductors, as well as characterization techniques used for determining the optical, structural and morphological properties of the semiconducting materials. Additionally, the authors discuss photoelectrochemical methods for determining the light activity of the photocatalytic semiconductors by means of measurement of properties such as band gap energy, flat band potential and kinetics of hole and electron transfer. Photocatalytic Semiconductors: Synthesis, Characterization and Environmental Applications provide an overview of the semiconductor materials from first- to third-generation photocatalysts and their applications in wastewater treatment and water disinfection. The book further presents economic and toxicological aspects in the production and application of photocatalytic materials.

MXene, a two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbide, nitride, and carbonitride, was discovered in 2011. MXene has great potential as a cocatalyst in the field of photocatalysis due to its unique properties and structure. MXene-Based Photocatalysts: Fabrication and Applications introduces readers to the fundamentals, preparation, microstructure characterization, and a variety of applications of MXene-based photocatalysts. The book is a comprehensive reference for MXene materials and provides an overview of the current literature on MXene-based photocatalysts. FEATURES Discusses preparation methods of MXenes Describes the morphology and microstructure of MXenes Offers strategies for fabricating MXene-based photocatalysts Details the reaction mechanism of MXene-based photocatalysts Covers applications in photocatalytic water-splitting, photocatalytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic degradation, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation, and photocatalytic H2O2 production This book serves as an invaluable guide for advanced students, industry professionals, professors, and researchers in the field of materials science and engineering, photocatalysis, energy, and environmental applications.