Role of polarized and interfacial built-in electric fields in photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic performance

Abstract

The applications of photocatalysis in environmental remediation and energy generation are severely constrained due to the rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers within photocatalysts. Built-in electric fields (BIEFs) have shown the potential to address this challenge, while few reviews on BIEFs are available focusing on features of heterojunction and self-healing. This paper provides such a critical review on the state of the art of BIEFs, especially fills the gap in the review of novel self-healing BIEFs. Firstly, the definitions of polarization and interface BIEFs were clearly defined, and the formation mechanisms were elucidated. Secondly, the synergistic effect of the external fields and BIEFs was reviewed and discussed, and the design principles and mechanisms of self-healing BIEFs were commented for the first time. Thirdly, the analysis methods from different perspectives were summarized, and the driving mechanisms of BIEFs in different photocatalytic applications were elaborated. At last, the challenges and future prospects of BIEFs were discussed in depth. This review could provide guidance in the in-depth research and applications of BIEFs in photocatalysis.