photocatalysisn.
/ˌfəʊtəʊkəˈtalᵻsɪs/, U.S. /ˈˌfoʊdoʊkəˈtæləsəs/ Chemistry.
The acceleration of a reaction by light. Also: the catalysis of a photochemical reaction.
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [noun] > processes or substances affecting reactions > catalysis > photocatalysis
photocatalysis1895
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [noun] > study of chemical action of light > photochemical reaction > acceleration of
photocatalysis1895
1895 C. H. Bothamley in Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 662 For want of a better word, the phenomenon might be distinguished as photo-catalysis, and the sensitiser might be described as a photo-catalytic agent.
1916 W. C. McC. Lewis Syst. Physical Chem. II. iii. i. 420 Another instance of photo-catalysis in solution is the decomposition of aqueous sodium hypochlorite.
1970 Nature 22 Aug. 832/2 (heading) Homogeneous photocatalysis by organic dyes in the liquid phase.
1992 Sci. Amer. May 28/2 After being excited by laser light, the molecules in the suspension did not drop to a lower-energy level and emit photons. Instead the dye molecules remained excited. Lawandy believes this property will prove useful in photocatalysis.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1895