(Re)Greening photochemistry: using light for degrading persistent organic pollutants

摘要

Light is a cheap and abundant chemical reagent, capable of inducing highly selective reactions, some of which cannot be reasonably carried out by alternative ways nowadays. Photochemical processes may take place directly from the excited states or short-lived intermediates generated after light absorption or, alternatively, through reaction with species indirectly generated by the action of light on other chemicals present in the medium (catalysts or secondary reagents). As a consequence a range of possibilities are open to transform and/or degrade refractory pollutants or undesired chemicals or micro-bia in air, water, soil, on surfaces, etc., as well as other applications described below.