Solar Detoxification - CO2 Photoreduction

The oxidative degradation of organic pollutants in water and air streams is considered as one of the so-called advanced oxidation processes. Photocatalytic decomposition of organics found widespread industrial interest for air purification (e.g., decomposition of aldehydes, removal of NO , ), deodorization, sterilization, and disinfection. Domestic applications based on Ti02 photocatalysts such as window self-cleaning, bathroom paints that work under illumination with room light, or filters for air conditioners operating under UV lamp illumination have already been commercialized. Literature-based information on the multidisciplinary field of photocatalytic anti-pollutant systems can be found in a number of publications, such as Bahnemann s [237, 238] (and references therein). 

In particular, the photo(electro)chemical reduction of carbon dioxide is connected to one of the most important environmental problems necessitating an urgent solution, that is, the fixation of CO2 in the atmosphere. The feasibility of CO2 

One attractive approach to photochemical conversion and storage of solar energy is photofixation of carbon dioxide to C-1 organic compounds (formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, and methane). Photoreduction of CO2 to formic acid and formaldehyde has been demonstrated by using n-type Bi2S3 and CdS semiconductor powders (particle size 300 00 mesh) as photoelectrocatalysts in emulsions 

Photoreduction of CO2 to formate in metal sulfide colloids has been reported to provide a novel photosynthetic route for production of methanol as the end-product 

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