Multiphoton Upconversion Materials for Photocatalysis and Environmental Remediation

Solar-driven photocatalysis holds great potential for energy conversion, environmental remediation, and sustainable chemistry. However, practical applications of conventional photocatalytic systems have been constrained by their insufficient ability to harvest solar radiation in the infrared spectrum. Lanthanide-doped upconversion materials possess high photostability, tunable absorption, and the ability to convert low-energy infrared radiation into high-energy emission, making them attractive for infrared-driven photocatalysis. This review highlights essential principles for rational design of efficient photocatalysts. Particular emphasis is placed on current state-of-the-arts that offer enhanced upconversion luminescence efficiency. We also summarize recent advances in lanthanide-doped upconversion materials for photocatalysis. We conclude with new challenges and prospects for future developments of infrared-driven photocatalysts.

Automated summary

Solar-driven photocatalysis shows great potential in energy conversion, environmental remediation, and sustainable chemistry. Lanthanide-doped upconversion materials with high photostability and tunable absorption can convert low-energy infrared radiation into high-energy emission, making them attractive for infrared-driven photocatalysis. This review emphasizes the essential principles for designing efficient photocatalysts, particularly focusing on enhancing upconversion luminescence efficiency and recent advances in lanthanide-doped upconversion materials for photocatalysis, while also discussing new challenges and prospects for future developments of infrared-driven photocatalysts.