Photocatalytic purification and remediation of contaminated air and water

Among the catalytic approaches to environmental remediation, that of heterogeneous photoassisted catalysis, known as 'photocatalysis', is the sole example involving utilization of light along with a catalytic solid. This paper surveys the broad range of emerging potential applications for water (contaminant destruction and removal, metal deposition and recovery, sterilization and disinfection) then for air (purification, decontamination, deodorization, bioaerosol removal, self-cleaning surfaces) and presents approaches to increase the efficiency of light and catalyst utilization via periodic illumination and oxidant (ozone, peroxide) addition. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.