1. New Trends in Photo(Electro)catalysis. From Wastewater Treatment to Energy Production.
- Author
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Palmas, Simonetta and Palmas, Simonetta
- Subjects
Biology, life sciences ,Research & information: general ,AOPs ,Anodic oxidation ,Au nanoparticles ,CO2 ,Composite catalysts ,Cu-B alloy ,H2 generation ,H2 production ,Ni-Co catalyst ,TiO2 nanostructures ,TiO2 photocatalysts ,UV irradiation ,UVA ,ZnFe2O4 ,advanced oxidation processes ,amoxicillin ,ampicillin ,azo dye ,bisphenol A oxidation ,cathode ,cation distribution ,composite ,crystal size ,degree of inversion ,diamond electrodes ,electricity production ,environmental engineering ,ethanol ,facet effect ,graphitic carbon nitride ,hydrogen evolution ,hydrogen evolution reaction ,in situ deposition ,light trapping ,magnetron sputtering ,mechanical mixture ,metal and non-metal doping ,metal sulfides ,microbial fuel cell ,n/a ,nanoclusters ,niobium ,non-precious metal catalysts ,optical properties ,oxygen electrode ,photocatalysis ,photocatalyst ,photocatalytic activity ,photocatalytic oxidation ,photocatalytic reduction ,photoelectrocatalysis ,photoelectrochemical activity ,polymethylmethacrylate ,porous nickel ,renewable energy sources ,selective corrosion ,silver(II) oxide ,solar energy ,solar fuel ,surface modification ,sustainable resources ,synergy effect ,tetracycline ,titanium dioxide ,titanium dioxide (TiO2) film ,ultrasounds ,visible light ,wastewater remediation ,water reuse ,water splitting ,water treatment ,zinc oxide - Abstract
Summary: This reprint focuses on new trends in photo-electrocatalysis, specifically addressed to the remediation of wastewater and energy production. The remediation of wastewater, up to a level that is acceptable for discharge into receiving waterbodies, involves an ever-growing demand of energy, so effective and low-energy treatment processes are highly desirable. Among the other treatments, photo- and photo-electrochemical treatment processes may be considered as advanced oxidation processes (AOP), which are based on the generation of OH radicals, strong oxidizing agents able to indiscriminately degrade even the most persistent organic compounds. Photocatalysis and photo-electrocatalysis can be considered as effective methods for organic degradation, especially when the semiconductor is active in the range of visible light. Several results are presented on new morphologies and structures, which allow more photoactive, visibly responsive, and stable materials, as well as studies on combined processes in which photo- or photo-electrochemistry contribute to an increase in the sustainability of the whole process, lowering costs and achieving the most valuable final products. In view of the circular economy concept, microbial fuel cell systems are also considered as possible way to recover energy from organic pollutants contained in wastewater.