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Glite Dictionary
photocatalyst

photocatalyst

1 7.7
A material that makes a chemical reaction go faster when light hits it without being used up
  • noun
  • /ˌfoʊtoʊˈkætəlɪst/
  • Specialized
: fotocatalizador
  • This photocatalyst can help convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels when activated by solar energy.
  • visible light photocatalyst
  • light photocatalyst

Examples

  • "It will dramatically accelerate the rate of electrocatalyst and photocatalyst discovery from a few candidates a year to a few every few milliseconds, producing thousands to millions per day," says Nate Lewis, hub director at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis.

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  • The researchers developed a new photocatalyst that can effectively purify water when exposed to sunlight.

  • Using a photocatalyst, the chemical reaction accelerated significantly under UV light, making the process more efficient.

Synonyms

catalyst
vsphotocatalyst
  • Specialized
16 4.7

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without changing itself

functions only under light exposure rather than functioning independently of light
catalyzer
vsphotocatalyst
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A substance that makes a chemical reaction faster without being used up

acts only when exposed to light rather than working without light

How Effective

photocatalyst
  • Specialized
1 7.7
catalyst
  • Specialized
16 4.7
inert
  • Specialized
1 7.1

Surface Forms

photocatalyst singular
photocatalysts plural

Morphology

photocatalyst = catalyst (semi-transparent) = photo + catalyst

The word is built transparently from 'photo-' meaning light and 'catalyst', but the full term is a specialized scientific label rather than an everyday compositional word.

Etymology

Photocatalyst combines photo- 'light', as in photograph, and catalyst 'something that speeds up a reaction'. So, a photocatalyst is a material that uses light to speed up a chemical reaction without being used up.