Photocatalysis quantum size effect

Stroyuk AL, Kryukov AI, Kuchmii SY, Pokhodenko VD (2005) Quantum size effect in semiconductor photocatalysis. Theoretical and Experimental Chemistry 41 207-228... 

Kinetic studies of photoreactions on semiconductor nanoparticles are important for both science and practice. Of scientific interest are the so-called quantum size effects, which are most pronounced on these particles shifting the edge of adsorption band, participation of hot electrons in the reactions and recombination, dependence of the quantum yield of luminescence and reactions on the excitation wavelength, etc. In one way or another all these phenomena affect the features of photocatalytic reactions. At present photocatalysis on semiconductors is widely used for practical purposes, mainly for the removal of organic contamination from water and air. The most efficient commercial semiconductor photocatalysts (mainly the TiC>2 photocatalysts) have primary particles of size 10-20 nm, i.e., they consist of nanoparticles. Results of studying the photoprocesses on semiconductor particles (even of different nature) are used to explain the regularities of photocatalytic processes. This indicates the practical significance of these processes. 

It should be noted that although the nanoclusters used in these photocatalysis studies all show quantum size effect in their absorption spectra, it is not clear whether there is any quantum size effects on the catalytic activity of these nanoclusters. 

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