Metal Oxides as Photocatalysts for Environmental Detoxification

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Heterogeneous photocatalysis occurs over semiconductor particulates irradiated with light of proper wavelengths, which generates charge carriers (electrons and holes). These e /h+ pairs are ultimately positioned at the particle surface to undergo a variety of events (recombination, trapping) in competition with other processes (redox chemistry). These charge carriers may be implicated in photocatalytic transformations of inorganic anions (cyanides, sulfides) and reduction of precious and/or toxic metals. When organic compounds are present in aerated suspensions, the photocatalytic oxidation leads to total mineralization to carbon dioxide and inorganic anions (for example, chloride from chlorinated organics). The present Comment focuses on the fundamental and primary events occurring in the heterogeneous photocatalysis on semiconductor metal oxides, with particular reference to TiO2 and reports on the mechanism of some redox transformations concerning inorganic and organic species. Actual research on photocatalytic materials and on solar detoxification is outlined.

This publication has 159 references indexed in Scilit: