Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Based on Bioinspired Superwettabilities

In the field of interface science, superwettability and photocatalysis are two significant research hot spots. Currently, wettability has been proved to be a decisive factor to enhance photocatalytic activity, such as self-cleaning, degradation efficiency, water purification, antibacterial, gas evaluation, reduction, fixation, H2O2 generation, and so on. In this review, we summarize the recent developments of photocatalysts based on varied bioinspired wettabilities. In the beginning, the amazing wetting behaviors of natural creatures, i.e., superhydrophilic fish scale and clam shell, superhydrophobic lotus leaf and rose petal, patterned wettable desert beetle, slippery pitcher plant, and oleophobic springtail were are and their corresponding wetting models are also exhibited. Subsequently, the catalytic mechanisms of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) are discussed. Subsequently, materials based on bioinspired superwetting, including (super)hydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, patterned superwetting, responsive (super)wetting, Janus (super)wetting, slippery, and superamphiphobicity, are respectively exemplified. Finally, concerns and outlooks related to bioinspired superwettable photocatalysts are proposed. It is believed that bioinspired superwetting in photocatalysis will become an emerging research hot spot in the near future.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the significant research hot spots of superwettability and photocatalysis in the field of interface science. It highlights the impact of wettability on photocatalytic activity and discusses the developments of photocatalysts based on varied bioinspired wettabilities. The article also presents the catalytic mechanisms of materials like titanium dioxide and graphitic carbon nitride and proposes future concerns and outlooks related to bioinspired superwettable photocatalysts.