Photocatalysts as environmental purification materials have been shown to exhibit strong oxidizing activity when being exposed to UV light. They have been widely used to decompose and remove the various environmental pollutants, harmful gases, endocrine disrupters, pesticide residues and bacteria. In addition, they have also been used to kill cancer cells and to facilitate hydrogen evolution by photocatalytic water splitting. Our laboratory focuses on development of novel photocatalytic materials which are expected to be applicable under visible light irradiation such as solar light and LED, elucidation of their decomposition mechanisms, establishment of their valuation systems and creation of novel photocatalytic devices.

Anaerobic digestion is one of the crucial technologies that are used for simultaneous waste treatment and biomass energy convention to produce useful substances such as hydrogen and methane. Our laboratory has successfully prepared some novel ammonia adsorbents to mitigate ammonia-induced inhibition during anaerobic digestion process for creation of an efficient biomass conversion system. Furthermore, an illuminated anaerobic digestion process using solar light is being designed and constructed to accomplish a highly efficient and sustainable anaerobic digestion system.

◆Development of Innovative Environmental Purification Methods