Visible-light activation of TiO₂ photocatalysts: Advances in theory and experiments

verfasst von

V. Etacheri, C. Di Valentin, J. Schneider, D. Bahnemann, S.C. Pillai

Abstract

The remarkable achievement by Fujishima and Honda (1972) in the photo-electrochemical water splitting results in the extensive use of TiO

₂ nanomaterials for environmental purification and energy storage/conversion applications. Though there are many advantages for the TiO

₂ compared to other semiconductor photocatalysts, its band gap of 3.2eV restrains application to the UV-region of the electromagnetic spectrum (λ≤387.5nm). As a result, development of visible-light active titanium dioxide is one of the key challenges in the field of semiconductor photocatalysis. In this review, advances in the strategies for the visible light activation, origin of visible-light activity, and electronic structure of various visible-light active TiO

₂ photocatalysts are discussed in detail. It has also been shown that if appropriate models are used, the theoretical insights can successfully be employed to develop novel catalysts to enhance the photocatalytic performance in the visible region. Recent developments in theory and experiments in visible-light induced water splitting, degradation of environmental pollutants, water and air purification and antibacterial applications are also reviewed. Various strategies to identify appropriate dopants for improved visible-light absorption and electron-hole separation to enhance the photocatalytic activity are discussed in detail, and a number of recommendations are also presented.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Technische Chemie

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews

Band

25

Seiten

1-29

Anzahl der Seiten

29

ISSN

1389-5567

Publikationsdatum

12.2015

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Katalyse, Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Organische Chemie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochemrev.2015.08.003 (Zugang: Geschlossen)