Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Photocatalysis
noun
/ FOH-toh-kuh-TAL-ih-sis /
Hard
Meaning
A chemical reaction that is accelerated by a substance (photocatalyst) activated by the absorption of light, used in pollution control and water purification
Origin / Etymology
Greek phos (light) + katalysis (dissolution)
Synonyms
Light-driven catalysis
Photo-oxidation
Antonyms
Thermal catalysis
Example Sentence
"Photocatalytic coatings on building surfaces can decompose air pollutants like NOx when exposed to sunlight, offering a passive pollution-reduction technology for Indian cities."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Use in GS3 (science and technology, pollution abatement) when discussing innovative clean-tech solutions. Relevant to smart cities, air quality management, and green chemistry.
Relevant Subjects