Speakers   Ms. Li Yuhan, PhD student of EdUHK, SES
Session Chair   Dr. HO Wing Kei
Date and Time   12 April 2017 (Wednesday) 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Venue   D3-G-05, Tai Po Campus
Language   English (aided with Mandarin)

Abstract
Photocatalytic degradation of air pollutants under visible light irradiation (43% of the incoming solar energy) have been regarded as one of the best green strategies to solve the pollution problem. Photocatalysis base on TiO2 has proven to be a promising technology for air purification. Unfortunately, there is a major obstacle in this semiconductor material which is only photosensitive to the ultraviolet region, a small fraction (~5%) of the solar energy. Therefore, significant efforts have been devoted to developing stable and efficient photocatalysts capable of using both of abundant visible light in solar spectrum. Recently, non-oxide type photocatalysts in particular graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) are proven to be active under visible light irradiation. This finding opens up important new possibilities of solar-driven photocatalyst for environmental purification. Thus, my research focuses on the modification of g-C3N4 by (1)Pd loading, (2)metallic Bismuth loading and (3)hybridization of rutile TiO2 with g-C3N4 in order to improve its air pollutant removal performance and expanded applications. The use of these modified semiconducting polymer as a catalyst for air purification will open new possibilities to form different hybrid carbon nitride materials with new and probably exciting applications.

About the Speaker
Li Yuhan is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of The Education University of Hong Kong. She is pursuing her PhD degree under the supervision of Dr. Ho Wing-Kei. Her study and research focuses on environmental pollution treatment by using newly photocatalytic technology. As a Chongqing native, she likes spicy food, painting, writing, gourd flute, music and badminton.