Photocatalytic purification and remediation of contaminated air and water

Among the catalytic approaches to environmental remediation, that of hetero geneous photoassisted catalysis, known as 'photocatalysis', is the sole exa mple involving utilization of light along with a catalytic solid. This pape r surveys the broad range of emerging potential applications for water (con taminant destruction and removal, metal deposition and recovery, sterilizat ion and disinfection) then for air (purification, decontamination, deodoriz ation, bioaerosol removal, self-cleaning surfaces) and presents approaches to increase the efficiency of light and catalyst utilization via periodic i llumination and oxidant (ozone, peroxide) addition. (C) 2000 Academie des s ciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.