Photocatalytic properties of Ag@TiO2 composite clusters have been investigated using steady state and laser pulse excitations. Photoexcitation of TiO2 shell results in accumulation of the electrons in the Ag core as evidenced from the shift in the surface plasmon band from 460 to 420 nm. The stored electrons are discharged when an electron acceptor such as O2, thionine, or C60 is introduced int...

We discuss the system-specific optimization of long-range-separated density functional theory (DFT) for the prediction of electronic properties relevant for a photocatalytic cycle based on an Ir(III) photosensitizer (IrPS). Special attention is paid to the charge-transfer properties, which are of key importance for the photoexcitation dynamics but cannot be correctly described by means of conve...

In order to overcome the low utilization ratio of solar light and high electron-hole pair recombination rate of TiO2, the triangular Ag nanoparticle island is covered on the surface of the TiO2 thin film. Enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite system is observed. The increase of electron-hole pair generation is caused by the enhanced near-field amplitudes of loc...

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction seems potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and produce renewable energy. A new model of photocatalytic CO2 reduction in optical fiber monolith reactor with multiple inverse lights was developed in this study to improve the conversion of CO2 to CH3OH. The new light distribution equation was derived, by which the light distribution was modeled and analyzed. ...

Semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted increased attention due to their great potential for solving energy and environmental problems. The formation of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems that mimic natural photosynthesis is a promising strategy to improve photocatalytic activity that is superior to single component photocatalysts. The connection between photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II...

A novel and effective system was developed for the complete treatment of NOx from flue gases. The system consisted of photocatalytic or ozone oxidation of NOx, followed by scrubbing and biological denitrification. Maximum photocatalytic oxidation of NOx was achieved while using powdered TiO2 at a catalytic loading rate of 10 g/h, relative humidity of 50%, and a space time of 10 s. The used cata...

Water pollution damages the aquatic environment due to presence of organic contaminants, which in turn is distressing ecosystem. Photocatalytic activity a greener and promising method degrade these contaminants. In this research, we present degradation diverse water pollutants through zinc/iron oxide nanoparticles serving as photocatalysts. The photocatalyst was studied for its efficiency photo...

It is known that TiO2 exhibits good photocatalytic properties which could be used in various commercial applications such as water and air purification or photo-induced biodegradation of microbes. TiO2 occurs in nature in the form of three crystal polymorphs: anatase, brookite and rutile. For photocatalytic applications only anatase and rutile are of interest, however anatase shows greater phot...

A novel heterostructure was first synthesized by directly depositing photocatalytic inert ZnO2 onto facet {201} of brookite nanorods. The heterostructure thus obtained was found to show a superior photocatalytic activity under UV-light irradiation. The exceptional photocatalytic performance was due to the band-structure match between ZnO2 and brookite as well as synergic charge accumulation by ...

A family of new composite materials was successfully prepared through the deposition of as-synthesized CdS nanomaterials on lotus-seedpod-derived activated carbon (SAC). The SAC supports derived at different activation temperatures exhibited considerably large surface areas and various microstructures that were of great importance in enhancing photocatalytic performance of CdS@SAC composite mat...