Photocatalyst Nanomaterials for Environmental Challenges and Opportunities

Climate change caused by fossil-fuel use and other natural causes as well as Western and Asian economic growth driven by excessive consumption is among the biggest environmental challenges of the 21st century. Advances in nanotechnology bring a new tool set to remediate environmental challenges such as pollutant removal, anti-terror, air/liquid/soil filtration, and carbon dioxide conversion to hydrocarbons. As innovative engineered nanomaterials emerge, it is critical to establish the fundamental science of these new materials so that their utility is optimized and unintended consequences of their use are avoided.