Tooru Inoue

Bio: Tooru Inoue is an academic researcher from University of Tokyo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Redox & Reducing agent. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 19 publications receiving 2469 citations.

Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide in aqueous suspensions of semiconductor powders

Abstract: WE report here the photoelectrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to form organic compounds such as formic acid, formaldeyde, methyl alcohol and methane, in the presence of photosensitive semiconductor powders suspended in water as catalysts. Photocatalytic reaction kinetics were elucidated by reference to the theory of charge transfer at photoexcited semiconductors.

Suppression of Surface Dissolution of CdS Photoanode by Reducing Agents

Abstract: The photoelectrochemical processes at CdS single crystal electrodes was studied, focusing mainly on the suppression of CdS dissolution by adding a variety of reducing agents differing widely in their redox potentials. The rotating ring-disk electrode technique served as a useful tool for the in situ determination of the dissolution rate of the electrode surface. Procedure and results are discussed. (WHK)

Electrochemical properties of electrochemically polymerized polypyrrole film in the dark and under light irradiation.

Abstract: Polypyrrole films prepared on Pt or SnO2 through electrochemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole were characterized with respect to electroconductivity by photoelectrochemical measurements. Redox reactions of solution species such as methyl viologen, hydroquinone, oxygen, Cu2+, I−, and Br− occur on these electroconductive films. Light excitation of the film with wavelengths shorter than 550 nm results in observable cathodic photocurrent at the potential region more negative than 0.0 V vs. Ag. The polypyrrole film is a p-type semiconductor with a bandgap energy of ca. 2.2 eV and is stable during redox reactions.

Investigation of CdS Photoanode Reaction in the Electrolyte Solution Containing Sulfide Ion

Abstract: The study of the photoanodic reaction in the CdS/S2− system was carried out by means of the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) technique. The photoanodic reactions at an n-type CdS electrode are divided into two types; the photoanodic oxidation of redox agents in the electrolyte solution and the photoanodic dissolution of CdS electrode surface. The stabilization of a CdS photoanode could be attained through the preferential progress of the former of these two processes. The ratio between these two processes depends upon the concentration of S2− in the electrolyte solution and the light intensity. Sulfide ion in the electrolyte solution stabilizes CdS photoanode and gives rise to the shift of the flatband potential of CdS electrode by ca. −60 mV/log[S2−]. This dependence of the flatband potential on sulfide ions can be explained by an adsorptive dissociation equilibrium at a CdS electrode surface. The results of the photoanodic reaction were disscussed referring to the charge transfer process with the par...

Solar Water Splitting Cells

Abstract: Energy harvested directly from sunlight offers a desirable approach toward fulfilling, with minimal environmental impact, the need for clean energy. Solar energy is a decentralized and inexhaustible natural resource, with the magnitude of the available solar power striking the earth’s surface at any one instant equal to 130 million 500 MW power plants.1 However, several important goals need to be met to fully utilize solar energy for the global energy demand. First, the means for solar energy conversion, storage, and distribution should be environmentally benign, i.e. protecting ecosystems instead of steadily weakening them. The next important goal is to provide a stable, constant energy flux. Due to the daily and seasonal variability in renewable energy sources such as sunlight, energy harvested from the sun needs to be efficiently converted into chemical fuel that can be stored, transported, and used upon demand. The biggest challenge is whether or not these goals can be met in a costeffective way on the terawatt scale.2

Semiconductor-based Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Abstract: 2.3. Evaluation of Photocatalytic Water Splitting 6507 2.3.1. Photocatalytic Activity 6507 2.3.2. Photocatalytic Stability 6507 3. UV-Active Photocatalysts for Water Splitting 6507 3.1. d0 Metal Oxide Photocatalyts 6507 3.1.1. Ti-, Zr-Based Oxides 6507 3.1.2. Nb-, Ta-Based Oxides 6514 3.1.3. W-, Mo-Based Oxides 6517 3.1.4. Other d0 Metal Oxides 6518 3.2. d10 Metal Oxide Photocatalyts 6518 3.3. f0 Metal Oxide Photocatalysts 6518 3.4. Nonoxide Photocatalysts 6518 4. Approaches to Modifying the Electronic Band Structure for Visible-Light Harvesting 6519

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)-Based Photocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis and Environmental Remediation: Are We a Step Closer To Achieving Sustainability?

Abstract: As a fascinating conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has become a new research hotspot and drawn broad interdisciplinary attention as a metal-free and visible-light-responsive photocatalyst in the arena of solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. This is due to its appealing electronic band structure, high physicochemical stability, and “earth-abundant” nature. This critical review summarizes a panorama of the latest progress related to the design and construction of pristine g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-based nanocomposites, including (1) nanoarchitecture design of bare g-C3N4, such as hard and soft templating approaches, supramolecular preorganization assembly, exfoliation, and template-free synthesis routes, (2) functionalization of g-C3N4 at an atomic level (elemental doping) and molecular level (copolymerization), and (3) modification of g-C3N4 with well-matched energy levels of another semiconductor or a metal as a cocatalyst to form heterojunction nanostructures. The constructi...

Understanding TiO2 photocatalysis: mechanisms and materials.

Abstract: Jenny Schneider,*,† Masaya Matsuoka,‡ Masato Takeuchi,‡ Jinlong Zhang, Yu Horiuchi,‡ Masakazu Anpo,‡ and Detlef W. Bahnemann*,† †Institut fur Technische Chemie, Leibniz Universitaẗ Hannover, Callinstrasse 3, D-30167 Hannover, Germany ‡Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University, 1 Gakuen-cho, Sakai Osaka 599-8531, Japan Key Lab for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China