Photo catalysis using solar energy and semiconductors is emerging as a viable alternative energy source to solve global energy demands. Since visible light accounts for about 45% of the entire solar spectrum intense research is in progress to discover visible-light-driven photo catalytic materials. Inorganic ceramic oxide materials are potential candidate materials since the work of Fujishima [1]. Recently Wang et al [2] reported the photo physical and catalytic properties of M3V2O8 [M = Mg, Ni, Zn]. Such materials are synthesized by high temperature method for extended period of time (ex 1000 deg C for 40 hrs). We propose a novel solid-state metathetic (SSM) approach for the synthesis of such materials [3]. In a typical SSM reaction, a salt with high lattice energy was formed as a by product which provides the driving force for the process. The reactions can be initiated by using external sources like heated filament, microwave energy etc., A variety of inorganic materials such as nitrates, complex oxides have been synthesized by this approach [4]. SSM method of synthesis are simple, relatively inexpensive and most importantly not time consuming at al. In this presentation, we apply such procedure for the synthesis of novel inorganic materials for photo catalytic applications.

References:
1. A. Fujishima, K. Honda, Nature 1972, 238, 37.
2. D. Wang, J. tang, Z. Zou, J. Ye, Chemistry of Materials, 2005, 17, 5177.
3. P. R. Nonneau, R.F.Jarvis and R.B. Kaner, Nature 349, 1991, 510.
4. P. Parhi and V. Manivannan, MRB in press.