A newly emerging visible light-responsive BiFeO3 perovskite for photocatalytic applications: A mini review

Photocatalytic technology utilized semiconductors and renewable solar energy have been envisaged as one of the most privileged solutions to assuage and even circumvent both the world catastrophe of energy crisis and environmental problems. Hitherto, a myriad of visible light-responsive photocatalysts have been explored for their photocatalytic applications. This article summarized the recent progress on the perovskite bismuth ferrite oxide (BiFeO3, denoted as BFO) as a new class of visible light-responsive photocatalyst for the photocatalytic treatment of organic pollutants. Description on the crystal and band structures of BFO, degradation pathways of BFO in visible light photocatalysis and unique features of BFO photocatalysts were presented. The techniques utilized to synthesize the BFO as well as the modification approaches partook in the photoactivity improvement were also detailed. Finally, summary and perspectives on the current challenges faced in expanding BFO advanced photocatalysts for the possible improvement in the environmental pollution remediation were discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.