Elsevier Nanostructured Photocatalysts: From Materials to Applications in Solar Fuels and Environmental Remediation (Micro and Nano Technologies)

Nanostructured Photocatalysts: From Materials to Applications in Solar Fuels and Environmental Remediation addresses the different properties of nanomaterials-based heterogeneous photocatalysis. Heterogeneous nanostructured photocatalysis represents an interesting and viable technique to address issues of climate change and global energy supply. Sustainable hydrogen (H2) fuel production from water via semiconductor photocatalysis, driven by solar energy, is regarded as a viable and sustainable solution to address increasing energy and environmental issues. Similarly, photocatalytic reduction of CO2 with water for the production of hydrocarbons could also be a viable solution. Sections cover band gap tuning, high surface area, the short diffusion path of carriers, and more. Introduces the utilization of nanostructured materials in heterogeneous photocatalysis for hydrogen fuel production via water splitting Explains preparation techniques for different nanomaterials and hybrid nanocomposites, enabling improved sunlight absorption efficiency and enhanced charge separation Assesses the challenges that need to be addressed before this technology can be practically implemented, particularly of identifying cost-effective nanophotocatalysts Review Explores how nanomaterials-based photocatalysts can help combat important global challenges, including climate change, energy storage and water purification From the Back Cover Nanostructured Photocatalysts addresses the different properties of nanomaterials -based heterogeneous photocatalysis to meet the most challenging aspects our society is facing, particularly the generation of clean energy and water purification. Heterogeneous nanostructured photocatalysis represents an interesting and viable technique to address the issues of climate change and global energy supply. Sustainable hydrogen (H2) fuel production from water via semiconductor photocatalysis, driven by solar energy, is regarded as a viable and sustainable solution to address the increasing energy and environmental issues. Similarly, photocatalytic reduction of CO2 with water for the production of hydrocarbons could be a viable solution to address these issues. Beside these two important applications, heterogeneous nanophotocatalysis have found widespread interest in water depollution/purification (organic degradation, NOx removal). Recent decades have witnessed a plethora of research on the synthesis of nanomaterials with the aim to improve the performance of different photocatalytic processes. By far the most investigated photocatalytic material is anatase TiO2, because of its low cost, high thermodynamic stability, strong oxidizing power and relative nontoxicity. The use of nanomaterials in heterogeneous photocatalysis represents an interesting and appealing option because of the associated benefits, such as band gap tuning, high surface area, short diffusion path of the carriers, and the existence of various synthetic routes to produce pure phase nanomaterials or their nanocomposites through hybridization with other semiconductor or carbon materials. This book discusses the major nanomaterials used for energy harvesting and water purification. It is an important reference source for all those who want to earn more about how nanotechnology is helping to create a more sustainable future. About the Author Rabah Boukherroub is Research Director Group Leader at the Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, University of Lille, France. His research interests are in the area of synthesis of functional nanomaterials (metal and semiconductor nanoparticles, semiconductor nanowires, graphene, carbon dots, etc.), surface chemistry, and photophysics of semiconductor/metal nanostructures with emphasis on biosensors and lab-on-chip applications, drug delivery, and development of new tools for studying molecular dynamics in vivo. Ogale Satishchandra is