Hollow semiconductor photocatalysts for solar energy conversion

Abstract

The development of high-efficient photocatalysts plays an important role in the sustainable utilization of solar energy. Hollow nanostructured photocatalysts are vital for solar light utilization and charge carrier separation in photocatalytic processes. Therefore, the construction of hollow semiconductor photocatalysts is a promising strategy for preparing novel high-efficient photocatalysts. This paper reviews common hollow semiconductor nanomaterials, such as oxides, sulfides, nitrides, C3N4, MOFs, and their composite photocatalysts. The characteristics of hollow-structure photocatalysts, the application of solar energy conversion, and their understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism are also reviewed. In addition, future challenges will be focused on designing and majorizing broadband response hollow-structure photocatalysts to further enhance solar energy conversion. Hollow semiconductor photocatalysts will have potential applications in the natural environment, and these synthesized strategies can also provide new possibilities for synthesizing other high-performance semiconductor photocatalysts.