Recent advances in bismuth-containing photocatalysts with heterojunctions

Photocatalysis has received much attention owing to current energy and environmental crises. The use of an appropriate photocatalyst is important to a photocatalytic process. The development of photocatalysts that absorb light over a wide range of wavelengths and efficiently separate charge carriers remains a challenge and hot research topic. With strong visible-light-absorption ability, bismuth-containing photocatalysts are of great interest to scientists. However, measures have to be taken to enhance the light absorption efficiency and to lessen the problem of the recombination of charge carriers. Known approaches are the formation of heterojunctions through (1) loading of a noble metal, (2) semiconductor combination, (3) metal and nonmetal doping, (4) carbon-based material modification, and (5) Bi metal loading. The present review summarizes recent advances in this respect. Finally, the future development and potential applications of bismuth-containing photocatalysts with heterojunctions are briefly discussed.

Graphical AbstractRecent achievements in bismuth-containing photocatalysts with heterojunctions were summarized and their future developments as well as their potential applications were discussed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide