Photochemistry of NO2 in Earth's Stratosphere: Constraints from Observations

Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Functional Polymeric Carbon Nitrides

The techniques for the production of the environment have received attention because of the increasing air pollution, which results in a negative impact on the living environment of mankind. Over the decades, burgeoning interest in polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) based photocatalysts for heterogeneous catalysis of air pollutants has been witnessed, which is improved by harvesting visible light, layered/defective structures, functional groups, suitable/adjustable band positions, and existing Lewis basic sites. PCN-based photocatalytic air purification can reduce the negative impacts of the emission of air pollutants and convert the undesirable and harmful materials into value-added or nontoxic, or low-toxic chemicals. However, based on previous reports, the systematic summary and analysis of PCN-based photocatalysts in the catalytic elimination of air pollutants have not been reported. The research progress of functional PCN-based composite materials as photocatalysts for the removal of air pollutants is reviewed here. The working mechanisms of each enhancement modification are elucidated and discussed on structures (nanostructure, molecular structue, and composite) regarding their effects on light-absorption/utilization, reactant adsorption, intermediate/product desorption, charge kinetics, and reactive oxygen species production. Perspectives related to further challenges and directions as well as design strategies of PCN-based photocatalysts in the heterogeneous catalysis of air pollutants are also provided.

Ab initio determination of dark structures in radiationless transitions for aromatic carbonyl compounds

Mechanistic photodissociation of a polyatomic molecule has long been regarded as an intellectually challenging area of chemical physics, the results of which are relevant to atmospheric chemistry, biological systems, and many application fields. Carbonyl compounds play a unique role in the development of our understanding of the spectroscopy, photochemistry, and photophysics of polyatomic molecules and their photodissociation has been the subject of numerous studies over many decades. Upon irradiation, a molecule can undergo internal conversion (IC) and intersystem crossing (ISC) processes, besides photochemical and other photophysical processes. Transient intermediates formed in the IC and ISC radiationless processes, which are termed "dark", are not amenable to detection by conventional light absorption or emission. However, these dark intermediates play critical roles in IC and ISC processes and thus are essential to understanding mechanistic photochemistry of a polyatomic molecule. We have applied the multiconfiguration complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method to determine the dark transient structures involved in radiationless processes for acetophenone and the related aromatic carbonyl compounds. The electronic and geometric structures predicted for the dark states are in a good agreement with those determined by ultrafast electron diffraction experiments. Intersection structure of different electronic states provides a very efficient "funnel" for the IC or ISC process. However, experimental determination of the intersection structure involved in radiationless transitions of a polyatomic molecule is impossible at present. We have discovered a minimum energy crossing point among the three potential energy surfaces (S1, T1, and T2) that appears to be common to a wide variety of aromatic carbonyl compounds with a constant structure. This new type of crossing point holds the key to understanding much about radiationless processes after photoexcitation of aromatic carbonyl compounds. The importance of ab initio determination of transient structures in the photodissociation dynamics has been demonstrated for the case of the aromatic carbonyl compounds. In addition, the detailed knowledge of mechanistic photochemistry for aromatic carbonyl compounds forms the basis for further investigating photodissociation dynamics of a polyatomic molecule.

Pollution by nitrogen oxides: an approach to NO(x) abatement by using sorbing catalytic materials

This article summarises the abatement of NO(x) pollution by using sorbing catalytic materials with special relevance to the challenge presented in fixed installations sources. A general vision of the origins of the different pollutants, with emphasis on nitrogen oxides formation, is presented as introduction. The impact of NO(x) pollution comprises additionally a quick view of its toxicity and environmental effects. Actual solutions are presented especially the case of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) process with its advantages and difficulties. The new concepts for NO(x) abatement are also analysed. In such a way, updated information on solid sorbents for NO(x) removal is provided by including metal oxides, spinelles, perovskites, double-layered cuprates, zeolites, carbonaceous materials, heteropolyacids (HPAs), and supported heteropolyacids. The possibility of reducing those sorbed NO(x) is also underlined. Sorption mechanisms are analysed and clarified by emphasising convergence and disagreement points.