Photocatalysis: Past achievements and future trends

Fatemeh Khodadadian, Maxim Nasalevich, Freek Kapteijn, Andrzej I. Stankiewicz, Richard Lakerveld, Jorge Gascon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Photocatalysis holds great promise to enable sustainable chemical processes related to, for example, the production of renewable fuels or prevention of pollution through advanced oxidation. However, despite significant progress and continuing interest from academia, industry and policy makers, key challenges have to be overcome. First, ideal photocatalytic materials should obey stringent requirements related to stability, cost, bandgap compatibility, availability of raw materials, and photon efficiency. In spite of certain limitations, such as an undesirable band gap, titania remains the frontrunner in terms of research and commercial applications. This chapter briefly discusses strategies to expand the allowable bandgap of photocatalytic materials. A key focus is on the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs have an organic-inorganic structure, exhibit a high surface area and can be tuned with tremendous flexibility, which makes them promising candidates to advance photocatalysis. Second, the development of photocatalytic reactors is discussed. The design and operation of photocatalytic reactors is not trivial due to requirements for efficient contact of reactants with the catalyst and efficient utilization of photons. The former requirement is common for any heterogeneous catalytic reactor whereas the latter is unique for photocatalysis. Consequently, numerous reactor configurations have been designed specifically for photocatalysis of which a selection is reviewed in this chapter. Recent advances in simulation and optimization of mathematical models of photocatalytic reactors offer an important support for design. Furthermore, novel solid-state light sources provide opportunities for increased robustness, reduced costs and improved flexibility for the design and operation of future photocatalytic reactors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMicrowave-Assisted Polymerization
EditorsGeorgios Stefanidis, Andrzej Stankiewicz
PublisherRoyal Society of Chemistry
Pages227-269
Number of pages43
Edition47
ISBN (Electronic)9781782620396, 9781782621133, 9781782621409, 9781782623175, 9781782624677, 9781849738163, 9781849739597, 9781849739764, 9781849739795
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameRSC Green Chemistry
Number47
Volume2016-January
ISSN (Print)1757-7039
ISSN (Electronic)1757-7047

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Photocatalysis: Past achievements and future trends'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this