English: In this talk from Science at the Shine Dome 2014, Professor Rose Amal discusses photocatalysis — from material design to engineering reactor systems.

Water, environment and energy are three of the most important issues facing mankind in the coming 50 years. The demand for clean drinking water, fresh air and sustainable energy becomes more challenging in view of the ever-growing population.

The need to develop ecologically clean solar-induced chemical processes, such as photocatalysis, are at present limited by low quantum efficiencies. This presentation illustrates past and ongoing research in the development of a highly efficient photocatalyst system for water and air purification, as well as H2 generation through:

1) design hybrid/composite materials that can absorb a wider range of the solar spectrum and possess higher quantum efficiencies; 2) understanding relationships between photoelectrical properties of photocatalysts and mechanisms for degrading organics;

and 3) developing an improved ‘light penetration’ reactor system.

English: Photocatalysis Rose Amal