fotokatalitycznoci

Fotokatalitycznosc, also known as photocatalysis, is a chemical process that involves the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst, known as a photocatalyst, absorbs light, typically ultraviolet or visible light, and uses the energy to promote chemical reactions. This process is particularly useful in environmental applications, such as the degradation of pollutants in water and air, and the production of hydrogen fuel through water splitting.

The most well-known photocatalyst is titanium dioxide (TiO2), which has been extensively studied due to its high efficiency, low cost, and non-toxicity. When TiO2 is exposed to light, it generates electron-hole pairs that can react with water molecules to produce hydroxyl radicals, which are highly reactive and can degrade organic pollutants. Other photocatalysts include zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), and various metal-doped semiconductors.

Photocatalysis has several advantages over traditional chemical processes. It operates under mild conditions, typically at room temperature and pressure, and does not require the addition of harmful chemicals. Additionally, photocatalytic reactions can be continuous, as the photocatalyst can be reused after each cycle. However, the efficiency of photocatalysis is often limited by the low absorption of visible light by many photocatalysts and the rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs.

Research in photocatalysis is focused on improving the efficiency and stability of photocatalysts, as well as expanding their applications. This includes the development of new photocatalysts with enhanced light absorption properties, the use of advanced characterization techniques to understand the reaction mechanisms, and the integration of photocatalytic systems into practical devices.