Photochemical catalysts and methods for their manufacture and use

A photochemical catalyst for conducting photocatalytic processes, comprising:

• an optical microfiber coated with a catalytic amount of a molecular sieve, said optical microfiber effective to transmit light to said molecular sieve;
• wherein said optical microfiber has a first, cladded portion along its length effective to retain substantially all light transmitted therethrough, and a second cladding-free portion along its length effective to radiate light externally of the microfiber, said second cladding-free portion coated with said molecular sieve and comprising at least about 25 percent of the surface area of the microfiber.

A photochemical catalyst, comprising:

• an optical microfiber having an outer surface having a catalytic amount of a zeolite bonded thereto along its length, said optical microfiber effective to transmit light to said zeolite;
• and
• a dye sensitizer incorporated into the zeolite.

A photochemical catalyst for conducting photocatalytic processes, comprising:

• an optical microfiber having an outer surface having a catalytic amount of a zeolite bonded thereto, said optical microfiber effective to transmit light to said zeolite, wherein said optical microfiber has a first, cladded portion along its length effective to retain substantially all light transmitted therethrough, and a second cladding-free portion along its length effective to radiate light externally of the microfiber, said second cladding-free portion coated with said molecular sieve and comprising at least about 25 percent of the surface area of the microfiber.