functional new applications of photocatalysis materials · applications of photocatalysis in...
TRANSCRIPT
TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE University Research Administration Center
1-3, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan E-MAIL: [email protected]
New applications of photocatalysisNew applications of photocatalysisFunctionalmaterials
2016.03
Kazuya NAKATA (Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science)
Purpose of Research
Photocatalysts are functional materials that convert photo-energy to chemical energy. They exhibit oxidation-reduction reactivity and convert surface wettability into superhydrophilicity when illuminated. Those properties can be exploited for production of useful chemicals, environmental purification, etc. For example, hydrogen as a fuel can be produced from water using the oxidation-reduction reaction. Furthermore, a surface shows self-cleaning when it is given superhydrophilic-ity. Those properties are very unique and are already applied in many commercialized products. Applications for photocatalysis are expanding into new areas, where they are in great demand.
Summary of Research
1) Production of useful sugars from biomass using photocatalysis
Sugar is not only a necessary source of nutrition but recently also resource of bio-ethanol, electricity, and PLA plastics. Thus, recent demand for sugars in various purposes is significantly increasing. Our group succeeded in producing glucose and rare sugars from cellulose-based biomass using photocatalysis. This finding should lead to cheap industrial production of value-added sugars.
2) Improvement of germination rate of seeds using photocatalysis
Improvement of the germination rate of seeds of plants is key to improving the efficiency and costs of agriculture. Our group used TiO2 photocatalyst to produce active oxygen species which induced dormancy release of seeds, and successfully improved germination. This finding can be applied to improve germination of seeds such as medical plants which have low germination rates.
Our group is developing new applications of photocatalysis in biological and agricultural research areas.
Future Developments
• Large scale, cheap production technology of glucose and useful rare sugars will be developed, which can be used for industrial and medical applications.
• Technology for growing value-added plants using photocatalysis will be developed.
■ Associated System: JST Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)
■ Awards: Young Researcher Award of The ElectroChemical Society of Japan (Sano Award) (2012)The Japanese Photochemistry Association Prize for Young Scientist (2013)
■ Intellectual Property: N.A.■ Prototype: Present■ Sample: Available
• Glucose and other useful rare sugars can be produced from biomass resources using photocatalytic oxidation
• Germination of seeds can be improved with reactive oxygen species produced from photocatalysis, benefiting agriculture
Points