The paradigm for “photocatalysis” has been subject to continuous evolution, particularly over most recent years, due to the increasing attention to sustainable schemes for energy and chemicals production. The change of photocatalysis perception, that is generating a massive load of research and publications, has resulted in the proliferation of confusing evaluation of the photocatalysts’ merits, and at time in unreliable results, particularly for heterogeneous systems. There are stringent precautions that must be followed when developing a photocatalytic material, and that often are not taken into account by researchers. A complete and accurate characterization, a univocal and meaningful report of the activity and a reliable and objective comparison with other photocatalysts. Progress in photocatalysis, that is potentially one of the most powerful resources for politics based on sustainability, is crucially depending on good practices and deep thinking by those who operate in this research field. An overview of the most critical points for advances of modern photocatalysis is provided herein, with the intent of favouring the establishment of a more harmonized and universally acknowledged protocol for photocatalyst development.

Ceria (CeO2) is enjoying increasing popularity in catalytic applications, and in some cases has established itself as an irreplaceable component. The reasons for such success stem from the intrinsic structural and redox properties of ceria. Reducing the ceria particles to the nanoscale has a profound impact on the catalytic behavior. The proliferation of improved synthetic methods that allow control over the final morphology and size of the nano-structures is opening new possibilities in terms of catalytic potential, particularly for energy-related applications