Cleavage of water to its constituents (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen) for production of hydrogen energy at an industrial scale is one of the "holy grails" of materials science. That can be done by utilizing the renewable energy resource i.e. sunlight and photocatalytic material. The sunlight and water are abundant and free of cost available at this planet. But the development of a stable, efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic material to split water is still a great challenge. To develop the effective materials for photocatalytic water splitting, various type of materials with different sizes and structures from nano to giant have been explored that includes metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, and so on. Fundamental concepts and state of art materials for the water splitting are also discussed to understand the phenomenon/mechanism behind the photoelectrochemical water splitting. This book gives a comprehensive overview and description of the manufacturing of photocatalytic materials and devices for water splitting by controlling the chemical composition, particle size, morphology, orientation and aspect ratios of the materials. The real technological breakthroughs in the development of the photoactive materials with considerable efficiency, are well conversed to bring out the practical aspects of the technique and its commercialization.

Advances in the Chemistry and Physics of Materials is a compilation of topics on the recent developments in the areas of Materials Science.Materials Science has been a subject of major interest which has garnered significant attention over the years. Chemists and physicists have contributed extensively to this frontier research area and their synergistic efforts have led to the discovery of many new, exciting materials involving novel functions. In the light of the growing importance of the field of Materials Science, and owing to the fact that it is a subject that holds a lot of promise, internationally renowned Materials Chemist Prof. C.N.R Rao along with his colleagues at the School of Advanced Materials, at JNCASR, have compiled the contents of this book to highlight and showcase the emerging trends in materials science.It touches upon topics spanning over nanomaterials and various other classes of energy materials for harvesting, storage and conversion. The relatively new and exciting range of materials such as supramolecular, soft and biomaterials have been introduced and elucidated, in the book. Special emphasis has been laid on the synthesis, phenomena and characterization of these kinds of materials. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry has played an important role in the growth of Materials Science as a discipline, and the book covers a special topical session on the theoretical efforts in materials research.The book, packed with theory and practical aspects in a crisp and concise manner, aims to take the reader on an intense scientific expedition. The compilation provides an insight into the chemistry and physics of materials and presents up-to-date status reports which would, undoubtedly, be useful to practitioners, teachers and students.

This book outlines many of the techniques involved in materials development and characterization for photoelectrochemical (PEC) – for example, proper metrics for describing material performance, how to assemble testing cells and prepare materials for assessment of their properties, and how to perform the experimental measurements needed to achieve reliable results towards better scientific understanding. For each technique, proper procedure, benefits, limitations, and data interpretation are discussed. Consolidating this information in a short, accessible, and easy to read reference guide will allow researchers to more rapidly immerse themselves into PEC research and also better compare their results against those of other researchers to better advance materials development. This book serves as a “how-to” guide for researchers engaged in or interested in engaging in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. PEC water splitting is a rapidly growing field of research in which the goal is to develop materials which can absorb the energy from sunlight to drive electrochemical hydrogen production from the splitting of water. The substantial complexity in the scientific understanding and experimental protocols needed to sufficiently pursue accurate and reliable materials development means that a large need exists to consolidate and standardize the most common methods utilized by researchers in this field.

Cleavage of water to its constituents (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen) for production of hydrogen energy at an industrial scale is one of the "holy grails" of materials science. That can be done by utilizing the renewable energy resource i.e. sunlight and photocatalytic material. The sunlight and water are abundant and free of cost available at this planet. But the development of a stable, efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic material to split water is still a great challenge. To develop the effective materials for photocatalytic water splitting, various type of materials with different sizes and structures from nano to giant have been explored that includes metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, and so on. Fundamental concepts and state of art materials for the water splitting are also discussed to understand the phenomenon/mechanism behind the photoelectrochemical water splitting. This book gives a comprehensive overview and description of the manufacturing of photocatalytic materials and devices for water splitting by controlling the chemical composition, particle size, morphology, orientation and aspect ratios of the materials. The real technological breakthroughs in the development of the photoactive materials with considerable efficiency, are well conversed to bring out the practical aspects of the technique and its commercialization.

Photochemical Splitting of Water: Fundamentals to Applications brings together information on photochemical water splitting for hydrogen production, covering basic concepts, mechanisms, instrumentation, experimental set-up, analysis, materials used as catalysts, innovative methods, and future opportunities. The book introduces the role of water splitting and hydrogen production in the current and future global energy mix and provides a basic understanding of the theories behind photochemical water splitting, instrumentation, experimental set-up, and the criteria for materials selection. Other sections offers thorough coverage of the use of specific cutting-edge active materials in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting processes, discussing recent advances and future opportunities.The final chapters of the book focus on challenges, emerging trends, and key opportunities for the future, including tandem approaches that combine a solar cell with a suitably formulated water splitting cell. A glossary of technical terms is also included, providing a clear explanation of the main concepts. - Consolidates and analyzes the state-of-the-art in water splitting for hydrogen production - Offers case studies, visuals, and practical information to support selection, efficiency, and scale-up - Includes key concepts, fundamental methods, and the context of the future global energy landscape

Water, which plays an important role in every aspect of our daily lives, is the most valuable natural resource we have on this planet. Drinking, bathing, cooking, regeneration, cleaning, production, energy, and many other uses of water originate from some of its versatile, useful, basic, and unique features. The access, purification, and reuse of water on our planet, which is of course not endless and not available for direct use, is directly related to the water chemistry that explores its inimitable properties. This book includes research on water chemistry-related applications in environmental management and sustainable environmental issues such as water and wastewater treatment, water quality management, and other similar topics. The book consists of three sections, namely, water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water splitting, respectively, and includes 11 chapters. In these chapters, water-wastewater remediation methods, nanomaterials in water treatment, and water splitting processes are comprehensively reviewed in terms of water chemistry.The editors would like to record their sincere thanks to the authors for their contributions.

Explore green catalytic reactions with this reference from a renowned leader in the field Green reactions—like photo-, photoelectro-, and electro-catalytic reactions—offer viable technologies to solve difficult problems without significant damage to the environment. In particular, some gas-involved reactions are especially useful in the creation of liquid fuels and cost-effective products. In Photo- and Electro-Catalytic Processes: Water Splitting, N2 Fixing, CO2 Reduction, award-winning researcher Jianmin Ma delivers a comprehensive overview of photo-, electro-, and photoelectron-catalysts in a variety of processes, including O2 reduction, CO2 reduction, N2 reduction, H2 production, water oxidation, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution. The book offers detailed information on the underlying mechanisms, costs, and synthetic methods of catalysts. Filled with authoritative and critical information on green catalytic processes that promise to answer many of our most pressing energy and environmental questions, this book also includes: Thorough introductions to electrocatalytic oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, as well as electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions Comprehensive explorations of electrocatalytic water splitting, CO2 reduction, and N2 reduction Practical discussions of photoelectrocatalytic H2 production, water splitting, and CO2 reduction In-depth examinations of photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution and nitrogen reduction Perfect for catalytic chemists and photochemists, Photo- and Electro-Catalytic Processes: Water Splitting, N2 Fixing, CO2 Reduction also belongs in the libraries of materials scientists and inorganic chemists seeking a one-stop resource on the novel aspects of photo-, electro-, and photoelectro-catalytic reactions.

A comprehensive and timely overview of this important and hot topic, with special emphasis placed on environmental applications and the potential for solar light harvesting. Following introductory chapters on environmental photocatalysis, water splitting, and applications in synthetic chemistry, further chapters focus on the synthesis and design of photocatalysts, solar energy conversion, and such environmental aspects as the removal of water pollutants, photocatalytic conversion of CO2. Besides metal oxide-based photocatalysts, the authors cover other relevant material classes including carbon-based nanomaterials and novel hybrid materials. Chapters on mechanistic aspects, computational modeling of photocatalysis and Challenges and perspectives of solar reactor design for industrial applications complete this unique survey of the subject. With its in-depth discussions ranging from a comprehensive understanding to the engineering of materials and applied devices, this is an invaluable resource for a range of disciplines.

This book explores key parameters, properties and fundamental concepts of electrocatalysis. It also discusses the engineering strategies, current applications in fuel-cells, water-splitting, metal-ion batteries, and fuel generation. This book elucidates entire category viewpoints together with industrial applications. Therefore, all the sections of this book emphasize the recent advances of different types of electrocatalysts, current challenges, and state-of-the-art studies through detailed reviews. This book is the result of commitments by numerous experts in the field from various backgrounds and expertise and appeals to industrialists, researchers, scientists and in addition understudies from various teaches.

New and Future Developments in Catalysis is a package of seven books that compile the latest ideas concerning alternate and renewable energy sources and the role that catalysis plays in converting new renewable feedstock into biofuels and biochemicals. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic processes will be discussed in a unified and comprehensive approach. There will be extensive cross-referencing within all volumes.The use of solar energy during various catalytic chemical processes for the production of an array of chemical products is the theme of this volume. Photocatalysis is a topic of increasing importance due to its essential role in many of today's environmental and energy source problems. The use of solar energy for catalytic reactions results in a carbon dioxide–neutral process. All photocatalytic processes and the future developments in this area are discussed, including an economic analysis of the various processes. - Offers in-depth coverage of all catalytic topics of current interest and outlines future challenges and research areas - A clear and visual description of all parameters and conditions, enabling the reader to draw conclusions for a particular case - Outlines the catalytic processes applicable to energy generation and design of green processes