Particles of sub-micron size possess significant capacity to adsorb organic molecules from aqueous media. Semiconductor photocatalysts in particle form could potentially be utilized for dye removal through either physical adsorption or photo-induced chemical process. The photocatalytic and adsorption capabilities of Cu₂O particles with various exposed crystal facets have been studied through se...

The poly-o-phenylenediamine (PoPD)/TiO2 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized via 'in situ' oxidative polymerization method. The modified photocatalysts were characterized by BET, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrarad spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimrtic analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (...

We examined the photochemical properties of well-ordered multilayer films of titania nanosheets prepared on quartz-glass substrate using the layer-by-layer deposition method. The photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol and bleaching of Methylene Blue dye under UV light illumination were measured to evaluate the photocatalytic oxidation ability. Photoinduced hydrophilicity was also st...

Applying post thermal treatment on the doped TiO2 at high temperature is mostly regarded as an indispensable process, although it has negative effects on the photocatalytic activity of doped TiO2. Herein, we synthesized the N- and S-codoped TiO2 (NSTs) with an anatase phase using a simple solvothermal treatment and investigated their visible light photocatalytic activity associated with the the...

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over semiconducting niobate nanosheets is synergistically improved by coexisting photochemically inactive additives of clay particles and sodium chloride without precise nanoscopic structural regulation. In addition, the Pt cocatalyst loaded on the clay particles works better than that photodeposited on the photocatalytic nanosheets.

TiO(2) microspheres constructed by well-crystallized faceted nanorods with high aspect ratios expose 100% photocatalytic reactive {111} facets on the spherical surface. The microspheres demonstrated excellent photocatalytic antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus due to effective suppression of photoinduced electron-hole pair recombination and active TiO(2)@˙OH core-shell structure.

Monodispersed nickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanoparticles were for the first time applied to photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from lactic acid aqueous solution under visible light LED irradiation using CdS nanorods as a photosensitizer. The system exhibited high photocatalytic hydrogen-generating activity and excellent stability in aqueous acidic media.

Black brookite TiO2 single-crystalline nanosheets with outstanding photocatalytic activity toward CO2 reduction is prepared by a facile oxidation-based hydrothermal reaction method combined with post-annealing treatment. Large amount of Ti(3+) defects are introduced into the bulk of brookite nanoparticles, which increases the solar energy absorption and enhances the photocatalytic activity.

This paper describes the basics of photocatalysis on semiconductors, mainly on TiO2 and the application of photocatalytic processes to water purification from organic matter. The second chapter is devoted to metal cocatalysts introduced in order to improve the photocatalytic action of titania. Finally, a short review of more interesting practical applications of the processes is presented.

In this study, we report the facile fabrication of Fe(2)O(3)/CQDs nanocomposites, and investigate their effective photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of toxic gas (gas-phase benzene and methanol) under visible light. The crucial roles of CQDs in the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of the Fe(2)O(3)/CQDs composites are illustrated.