**Advanced Nanomatericals for Solar Photocatalysis**

Le Li and Minqiang Wang

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/62206

## **Abstract**

Heterogeneous photocatalysis using semiconductors and renewable solar energy has been regarded as one of the most promising processes to alleviate and even solve both the world crises of energy supply and environmental pollution. Recently, numerous sem‐ iconducting materials and its composites have been studied for their photocatalytic appli‐ cations. In this chapter, we briefly summarize recent progress in the binary oxide system (including TiO2 and α-Fe2O3), ternary oxide (Bi system), and the semiconducting materi‐ als and their composites which have remarkable applications in photocatalytic degrada‐ tion of toxic pollutants, hydrogen production and as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment. In addition, we highlight the challenges and opportunities when we imple‐ ment photocatalytic materials to help on the development of energy research and find ways to approach major problems.

**Keywords:** Photocatalysis, TiO2, α-Fe2O3, BiVO4, Bi2WO4, BiOX, Binary oxide, Ternary ox‐ ide
