Research highlights: visible light driven photocatalysis and photoluminescence and their applications in water treatment

Zheng, Qinmin, Tan, David and Shuai, Danmeng 2016. Research highlights: visible light driven photocatalysis and photoluminescence and their applications in water treatment. Environmental Science. Water Research & Technology 2 (1) , pp. 13-16. 10.1039/C5EW90026C

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Abstract

Photocatalysis holds great promise for sustainable water treatment due to the generation of reactive radicals for efficient contaminant removal, minimized chemicals consumption, and the utilization of renewable, inexhaustible solar energy (DOI: 10.1021/cr00033a004, DOI: 10.1021/cr00018a003). The most widely used photocatalyst for water treatment, titanium dioxide (TiO2), requires UV excitation. However, UV only accounts for 4% of solar energy, and the dependence of current photocatalysts on UV compromises the efficiency and feasibility of solar powered water treatment. Disinfection, an important water treatment process for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, also requires UV radiation with a wavelength of 250–260 nm. Therefore, the development of novel photocatalysts, and photophysical and photochemical processes for the use of optical radiation with a longer wavelength, such as visible light that accounts for 40% of solar energy, would present a major breakthrough for solar powered water treatment. A unique photoluminescence process, upconversion, has recently drawn attention for its ability to convert low energy photons (e.g., visible light) into high energy photons (e.g., UV light) for antimicrobial purposes (DOI: 10.1021/es200196c, DOI: 10.1021/es405229p). In this research highlight, we discuss three innovative materials used in photocatalysis and photoluminescence for water treatment applications, including graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), red phosphorus, and upconversion phosphors (Y2SiO5 doped with Pr and Li).

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Geography and Planning (GEOPL)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography
Publisher:	Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:	2053-1400
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2019 09:03
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/98219

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