Recent progress on van der Waals heterojunctions applied in photocatalysis

In recent years, heterojunction materials bonded by interlayer van der Waals forces have grown into a very large family. These van der Waals heterostructures have promising applications in photocatalysis due to their suitable energy band structures and optical properties. In this paper, the latest research progress on van der Waals heterojunction materials in photocatalytic systems is reviewed, including the photocatalytic theories and the basic principles of heterojunctions in photocatalysis. The construction, design, and photocatalytic properties and applications of van der Waals heterostructures are described in detail. The prospects and challenges of van der Waals heterojunctions in photocatalytic applications in the future are also presented. This review is intended to offer enlightening guidance for the efficient use of solar energy systems, efficient photocatalysis and early industrialization in the future.

Automated summary

In recent years, heterojunction materials bonded by interlayer van der Waals forces have become a large family and showed promising applications in photocatalysis due to their suitable energy band structures and optical properties. This paper reviews the latest research progress on van der Waals heterojunction materials in photocatalytic systems, including photocatalytic theories and the basic principles of heterojunctions in photocatalysis. The construction, design, properties, and applications of van der Waals heterostructures are described in detail. The prospects and challenges of van der Waals heterojunctions in future photocatalytic applications are also presented. This review aims to provide enlightening guidance for the efficient use of solar energy systems, efficient photocatalysis, and early industrialization in the future.