Surface Modifications of Catalysts in Nanoscale for Improvement of Selectivity and Durability of Photoconversion of Environmental Pollutant and Biomass

Photocatalytic processes for purifications of wastewater to environmentally friendly materials and conversion of sugars to energy and valuable chemicals are considered as new renewable energy technologies and innovations in terms of energy transitions. This work focused on the modification of photocatalysts for the purification of wastewater and conversion of sugars to high-value chemicals. The photocatalysts were designed by optimization of preparation conditions or surface modifications. In terms of purification of wastewater, the photocatalysts were modified using the molecular imprinting technique to create the specific binding cavity for dye molecules on the surface of TiO2. This technique can increase the selectivity of the photocatalysts. While the application of conversion of sugars focused on the optimization of preparation TiO2 coating on supporters (ceramic ball, glass ball, and alumina ball) to apply in a flow reactor. The developments of those photocatalytic systems provide strong platforms for photo-purification of environmental pollutants and photoconversions of sugars to value-added chemicals.