A review on the development of visible light-responsive WO3-based photocatalysts for environmental applications

Abstract

The use of semiconductor photocatalysis is a promising, green, and sustainable technology to address solar energy conversion and environmental remediation issues. Among photocatalytically active semiconductors, considerable attention has been given to the visible-light active tungsten oxide (WO3, Eg value ≈ 2.7–3.1 eV). This semiconductor has several advantages: strong absorption in the visible spectrum range, stability in acidic and oxidative conditions, low cost, and low toxicity. However, WO3 presents fast recombination of charge carriers’ and exhibits low photocatalytic activity for reduction reactions due to its conduction band potential (+0.5 V versus NHE). Many strategies have been applied to enhance photocatalytic activity and solar energy utilization of WO3 by modifying the energy band position and reducing the charge carrier recombination. In this review, several approaches, such as designing with exposed facets and specific morphologies, doping with transition metals and non-metals, deposition of noble metals, and heterojunction construction, are summarized.Moreover, the photocatalytic properties of the reviewed WO3-based photocatalysts are discussed based on their environmental applications such as degradation of organic pollutants, air purification, CO2 photoreduction, hydrogen production from water splitting and recently, simultaneous wastewater treatment and electric energy generation by photocatalytic fuel cells. Finally, the summary, future perspectives, and challenges of design novel WO3-based photocatalysts with high efficiency are pointed out to meet the urgent demands of highly efficient technologies that use visible or solar energy for environmental applications.