Surface Strategies for Particulate Photocatalysts toward Artificial Photosynthesis

Particulate photocatalyst-based artificial photosynthesis using water as an electron donor offers a renewable and scalable way to produce solar fuels. In constructing artificial photosynthesis systems, strategies based on modifying the semiconductor surface can remarkably influence the adsorption and activation abilities of ions/molecules, the control of the reactions involved, and the efficiencies of charge separation and catalytic conversion. In this review, three common ways of improving the photocatalytic performance of overall water splitting or CO2 reduction are summarized: (1) surface regulation by crystalline phase, crystal facet, and surface defect; (2) surface functionalization through the introduction of co-catalysts and/or a photo-inert'' metal oxide; (3) surface assembly with another semiconductor photocatalyst to form a heterostructure or an all-solid-state Z-scheme system. Challenges and future trends in the development of efficient artificial photosynthesis systems are also discussed briefly.