Cellulose tailored semiconductors for advanced photocatalysis

In recent years, organic-inorganic composites have aroused considerable attention due to their tunable properties, where cellulose tailored semiconductors for artificial photocatalysis are typical examples. In virtue of the unique fibrous structure and abundant surface functional groups, cellulose employed in the design of photocatalysts could endow good hydrophilicity, dispersity, stability, high porosity, conductivity, large surface area and even unexpected morphologies. In this review, the modification strategies of cellulose to semiconductors (function as assistants and sacrifice as bio-templates), diverse monoliths (films, gels and textiles) and their photocatalytic applications (contaminants treatment and H-2 production) are summarized in detail. In addition, the challenges and outlook of semiconductor/cellulose photocatalysts are also discussed.

Automated summary

Organic-inorganic composites featuring cellulose tailored semiconductors exhibit tunable properties and diverse applications, with unique fibrous structure and abundant surface functional groups. Challenges and future directions for the modification of cellulose into semiconductors are also addressed in this review.