Frontiers of Photo-catalysis and Photo-reaction at Solid Surfaces. Design and Development of a Titanium Oxide Photocatalyst Able to Work Effectively under Visible Light Irradiation by an Advanced Metal Ion-Implantation Method.

Abstract

The effective utilization of solar beams is one of the most important challenges in chemistry today not only for the conversion and storage of solar energy but also for the reduction and elimination of environmental pollution such as toxic air and water. Strong contenders as environmentally-harmonious catalysts are photocatalysts which are able to work effectively under visible and/or solar light irradiation. In this article, an advanced metal ion-implantation method has been successfully applied to improve the photocatalytic properties of semiconducting titanium oxide photocatalysts. The catalysts enables the absorption of visible light even longer than 450 nm so that they are able to operate effectively as photocatalysts under visible or solar light irradiation. The development of such environmentally-friendly titanium oxide photocatalysts can be considered a breakthrough in the efficient and large scale utilization of solar energy to address urgent environmental and energy needs for the 21st century.