This short review paper shows some misconceptions hidden in the discussion on the mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis, which may lead to fatal errors in conclusions. Topics described in this review are semiconductor photocatalysis, control experiments for proof of photocatalysis, and converse-proposition pitfalls in discussion.

The recent advances in photocatalysis have opened a variety of new possibilities for energy and biomedical applications. In particular, plasmonic photocatalysis using hybridization of semiconductor materials and metal nanoparticles has recently facilitated the rapid progress in enhancing photocatalytic efficiency under visible or solar light. One critical underlying aspect of photocatalysis is ...

The use of photoexcited electrons and holes in semiconductor nanocrystals as reduction and oxidation reagents is an intriguing way of harvesting photon energy to drive chemical reactions. This review focuses on recent research efforts to understand and control the photocatalytic processes mediated by colloidal II-VI nanocrystalline materials, such as cadmium and zinc chalcogenides. First, we hi...

Semiconductor heterogeneous photocatalysis, the subject of this review, is a versatile, low-cost and environmentally benign treatment technology for a host of pollutants. These may be of biological, organic and inorganic in origin within water and air. The efficient and successful application of photocatalysis demands that the pollutant, the catalyst and source of illumination are in close prox...

Metal-semiconductor-based photocatalysts show high efficiencies and catalytic activities in the photocatalysis process. Herein, the magnetic and one-dimensional Ni-Cu2O heteronanowires have been fabricated via in situ reduction of pre-adsorbed Cu(2+) on the surface of prickly Ni nanowires in an ethanol solution for photocatalysis application. The resultant Ni-Cu2O heteronanowires show higher ph...

The successful photochemical splitting of water with a TiO2 electrode has established that TiO2 has to be considered as one of the most important semiconductor photocatalysts. This photocatalyst has been shown to be efficient to mineralize several organic compounds and thereby remove a variety of pollutants and wastes. For safe drinking water, the present environmental conditions demand new tec...