BiFeO3-based Z scheme photocatalytic systems: Advances, mechanism, and applications

Hitherto, heed has been paid substantially to concoct potential photocatalysts to counter the issues of environmental degradation and energy crises. Amongst the plethora of photocatalysts, BiFeO3 (BFO) based photocatalysts are blooming as a centre of attraction due to fine chemical stability, and easy extrac-tion. Also owing to a 2.2-2.8 electron volt (eV) narrow bandgap, BFO to has turned into a competent pho-tocatalyst for efficient visible light absorption. So, keeping in mind the advantages of BFO and reviewing previous reports, the present review offers a deep overview of conventional heterojunctions and advanced Z-scheme heterojunctions. The main focus of the review is on BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunc-tions along with photocatalytic mechanisms and various applications. The successful construction of BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunction eliminates drawbacks of bare BFO photocatalysts such as short-lived charge carriers, and high recombination rate, and also enhances light absorption of the system as a whole. Because of spatially separated oxidation and reduction sites and efficacious charge migration, BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunctions are proficient contenders among photocatalytic materials. Therefore, BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunctions are aptly used nowadays, in various fields like pollutant degradation, wastewater treatment, organic synthesis, hydrogen production, and treatment of antibiotics. (c) 2022 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Thus far, efforts have been made to develop potential photocatalysts to address environmental degradation and energy crises. Among these, BiFeO3 (BFO) based photocatalysts have gained attention due to their chemical stability and easy extraction, as well as their narrow bandgap of 2.2-2.8 electron volts (eV) that enables efficient visible light absorption. This review provides an overview of conventional heterojunctions and advanced Z-scheme heterojunctions, with a focus on BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunctions, photocatalytic mechanisms, and various applications. The successful construction of BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunctions addresses the limitations of bare BFO photocatalysts and enhances overall light absorption. BFO-based Z-scheme heterojunctions stand as proficient contenders among photocatalytic materials due to spatially separated oxidation and reduction sites and efficient charge migration. They are currently being widely utilized in fields such as pollutant degradation, wastewater treatment, organic synthesis, hydrogen production, and treatment of antibiotics.