Chemists in Germany have discovered photocatalysts, which can use the energy of the sun to convert some of the organic contaminants into harmless substances. Contamination of water supplies whether by bacteria from sewage or dioxins from industry is a very serious problem for most countries. Ordinarily, contaminated water needs to be purified using ultra violet light or ozone. Use of titanium oxide as a photocatalyst has been well known for some time. W Maier of the University of Saarlandes, based in Germany and his colleagues have discovered several other metal oxide-based alloys that are far more efficient (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, No 40, p3160).
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