Recent Advances in the Fabrication of All-Solid-State Nanostructured TiO₂-Based Z-scheme Heterojunctions for Environmental Remediation.

Abstract

Nanostructured TiO₂-based Z-scheme heterojunctions have been widely accepted to be among the most effective photocatalysts for environmental remediation owing to their broadened light absorbance, high efficiency of photogenerated charge carrier separation, and well-preserved strong oxidation and reduction capability. In this review, we will first introduce the photogenerated charge carrier transportation mechanism of three different types of Z-scheme heterojunction systems, namely, liquid-phase Z-scheme photocatalytic system, all-solid-state indirect Z-scheme photocatalytic system, and all-solid-state direct Z-scheme photocatalytic system. Subsequently, we will describe the recent advances toward the rational design and fabrication of all-solid-state nanostructured TiO₂-based Z-scheme heterojunctions. The applications of the thus-constructed all-solid-state nanostructured TiO₂-based Z-scheme heterojunctions in the degradation of volatile organic compounds, removal of waste water organic pollutants, and upgradation of greenhouse gas CO₂ will then be presented one by one. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of all-solid-state nanostructured TiO₂-based Z-scheme heterojunction for photocatalytic environmental remediation will be briefly discussed, and the direction of future development will be prospected as well.