Photocatalytic Materials Center
Aiming to produce efficient photocatalytic technology that can utilize visible light in order to ameliorate the global environment
Nowadays, environment pollution and energy crisis are worldwidely concerned. For a sustainable society, it is an urgent task to develop environment-benign purification technologies and manufacturing technologies of alternative clean energies. Photocatalysis is one of the most promising methods for both subjects. In this project, therefore, we focus on the fundamental research and development of new visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with high efficiency, aiming to make our contributions to a sustainable society.
Managing Director's Greeting
- Managing Director
- Jinhua YE
“Photocatalysis” has potential to open one of the desirable technologies for further prosperity beyond the serious environmental pollution and next generation’s fuel resources of our planet. The photocatalysis is a nature phenomenon to promote chemical reactions on a surface of irradiated semiconductor. The essence of the photocatalysis is attributed to the property of photo-excited carriers (electrons and holes) with strong oxidization and reduction. That finally contributes to the decomposition, deodorization, and sterilization of the hazard organics, as well as decomposition of water to hydrogen and oxygen. We believe that novel photocatalytic materials which have further activities under visible light are going to contribute to the issues of the environment pollution and energy crisis. The Photocatalytic Materials Center which is composed of the following 3 groups has been founded at National Institute for Materials Science since April 2006. The focus is to develop highly efficient photocatalytic materials throughout our attempts from various aspects.
News / Press Release
Discovery of a Novel High Activity Photocatalyst Material: A Great Step Toward the Realization of Artificial Photosynthesis
– Discovery of a Revolutionary Oxidation Property in Silver Phosphate with Quantum Yield of Approximately 90% in Visible Light –
Success in Development of Novel Photocatalyst with High Activity in Visible Light
Practical Application in Indoor Environments is Envisioned
Groups
Advanced Materials Research Group
Photocatalysts having strong oxidation-reduction power are widely interested as environmental cleaning and energy conversion materials. The target of this Advanced Materials group is to develop new photocatalysts which can effectively utilize visible light included in not only solar light but indoor illumination.
| Group Leader | Jinhua YE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Member | Naoki KIKUGAWA | Tetsuya KAKO | |
Nano-structure Control Research Group
We seek to upgrade efficiency by controlling surface properties and structures (i.e., low-dimensional structures such as tunnels and layered crystals) at the nanometer level through application of fine-particle and surface science.
| Group Leader | Hirohisa YAMADA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Member | Kenji TAMURA | ||
Fundamental Process Research Group
We seek to clarify from both experimental science and theoretical computations standpoints the role of carrier excitation; transition; decomposition of organic matters, etc.; surface electron structure; and, the role of a promote catalyst among other topics.
| Group Leader | Akiyuki MATSUSHITA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Member | Masahiko SHIMODA | Hiroaki ISAGO | Yutaka KAGAYA |
| Mitsutake OSHIKIRI | Kiyoshi OZAWA | ||
Contact to Center
Photocatalytic Materials Center, NIMS
1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0047 JAPAN
TEL. +81-29-859-2301
E-Mail:
