Z-scheme systems: From fundamental principles to characterization, synthesis, and photocatalytic fuel-conversion applications

Z-scheme photocatalysts have recently received tremendous attention because of their extraordinary light harvesting and utilization ability, spatially-separated reductive and oxidative active sites, and strong redox capacity. This review depicts a panorama of the latest discoveries and developments of Z-scheme photocatalysts for solar-driven fuel production. It starts with the fundamental principles of Z-scheme photocatalysts. Subsequently, the characterization technologies and synthesis methods for Z-scheme photocatalysts are also presented. Afterwards, a series of representative Z-scheme photocatalysts for photocatalytic fuel-conversion applications, e.g., water splitting, CO2 reduction, N-2 fixation, and H2O2 production are exemplified. Lastly, this review also provides some new viewpoints into the major challenges, opportunities, and encouraging perspectives for future researches. It is clear that Z-scheme heterojunctions could act as highly efficient photocatalysts to achieve new breakthroughs for diverse photocatalytic fuel-conversion applications. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review presents the recent discoveries and developments of Z-scheme photocatalysts for solar-driven fuel production. It provides an overview of the fundamental principles, characterization technologies, and synthesis methods of Z-scheme photocatalysts. Representative examples of Z-scheme photocatalysts for photocatalytic fuel-conversion applications are showcased. The review also discusses the major challenges, opportunities, and future prospects in the field. Z-scheme heterojunctions demonstrate great potential as highly efficient photocatalysts for various photocatalytic fuel-conversion applications.