Photocatalysis

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