The present invention provides an InNH.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 nanocomposites with visible-light photocatalytic activity and application thereof, which can effectively remove organic pollutants (such as tetracycline) in water. First, the graphite phase carbonitride carbon (g-C.sub.3N.sub.4) was obtained by thermal condensation, and g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 nanosheet was prepared by thermal oxidative etching. Then, acicular MIL-68(In)NH.sub.2 (InNH.sub.2) was grown in situ on the surface of g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 nanosheet by solvothermal method. The InNH.sub.2/g-C.sub.3N.sub.4 nanocomposites with high visible-light photocatalytic activity were obtained. The CNNS firstly was prepared in the present invention, which is beneficial to the needle-like InNH.sub.2 growing on the surface of CNNS and having close interfacial contact with each other, forming a heterojunction, promoting the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes pairs, and enhancing visible-light photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The nanocomposites show high structural stability and reusability, which has great potential in the field of water remediation.

A multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer and methods of preparing the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer are provided. The multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer includes an inorganic matrix including silicon and oxygen; a plurality of photocatalytic active particles distributed within and bonded to the inorganic matrix; and a plurality of nanopores defined within the inorganic matrix in regions corresponding to bonds between the plurality of photocatalytic active particles and the inorganic matrix. Water molecules may be disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of nanopores. In the presence of water and electromagnetic radiation, the plurality of photocatalytic active particles may facilitate a decomposition reaction of any oil or organic residue on the multifunctional self-cleaning surface layer.

The Invention describes photocatalytic reactor systems that employ fluidization of the photocatalyst. These systems are useful for performing chemical transformations on a chemical containing fluid, including for VOCs. Aspects of the invention include non-imaging optics, abrasion resistant coatings and photoreactor designs.

Methods of preparing Pt/SrTiO.sub.3 photocatalysts comprising strontium titanate nanoparticles and platinum doped on a surface of the strontium titanate nanoparticles are described. Processes of oxidizing cycloalkanes to cycloalkanols and/or cycloalkanones by employing the Pt/SrTiO.sub.3 photocatalysts are specified. A method for recycling the photocatalyst is also provided.

A photocatalytic element including: a photocatalytic layer containing at least one photocatalytic material; and a light emitting source in optical communication with the photocatalytic material, the light emitting source disposed sufficiently proximal to the photocatalytic material to raise the surface temperature of at least some of the photocatalytic material to a temperature between 10 C. and 90 C. is provided.

A method for the preparation of zirconia-multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite utilizing Pluronics as templating agents is described. An efficient method for producing hydrogen gas using the nanocomposite as a photocatalyst.

Provided are a method of synthesizing molybdenum dioxide (MoO.sub.2) directly onto a metal substrate to form a coating on the surface of the substrate, products having a coated metal surface produced by the disclosed method, and their uses to decontaminate water and/or air. The coated metal surface disclosed herein also may be used as a structural component of a Li-ion battery, a supercapacitor, or a sensor for detecting a molecule.

A heterojunction composite material consisting of one-dimensional In.sub.2O.sub.3 hollow nanotube and two-dimensional ZnFe.sub.2O.sub.4 nanosheets and its application are disclosed. When using this material for catalytic reactions, the hollow cavity and two-dimensional nanosheets of hollow nanomaterials can not only reduce the migration distance to accelerate the electron-hole separation, but also provide a large surface area and rich active sites to promote pollution adsorption and surface catalysis. At the same time, multiple light scattering or reflection in the hollow cavity of the hollow nanomaterials can increase light absorption and utilization. In addition, the heterojunction photocatalyst constructed by growing two-dimensional semiconductor nanosheets on a tubular substrate can promote the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and photogenerated holes, thereby improving the catalytic efficiency. In terms of catalytic performance, In.sub.2O.sub.3 @ ZnFe.sub.2O.sub.4 shows effective degradation of tetracycline, and due to its ferromagnetism, it shows convenient and good separation effect and has good recycling performance.

Catalysts for selective production of hydrogen peroxide and methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The catalysts include an alloyed or doped metal oxide which permits tuning of the catalytic properties of the catalysts for selection of a desired pathway to a product, such as hydrogen peroxide. The catalysts may be incorporated into electrochemical or photochemical devices.

A method of forming a self-cleaning film system includes depositing a photocatalytic material onto a substrate to form a first layer. The method also includes disposing a photoresist onto the first layer and then exposing the photoresist to light so that the photoresist has a developed portion and an undeveloped portion. The method includes removing the undeveloped portion so that the developed portion protrudes from the first layer. After removing, the method includes depositing a perfluorocarbon siloxane polymer onto the first layer to surround and contact the developed portion. After depositing the perfluorocarbon siloxane polymer, the method includes removing the developed portion to thereby form the self-cleaning film system.