Recent advances in round-the-clock photocatalytic system: mechanisms, characterization techniques and applications

Publication date: Available online 26 March 2019Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry ReviewsAuthor(s): Tao Cai, Yutang Liu, Longlu Wang, Wanyue Dong, Guangming ZengAbstractSolar energy-driven semiconductor photocatalysis has gathered increasing interest in the field of energy and environmental applications. However, a vital problem that limits its application is that photocatalysis requires a continuous light source to perform redox reaction. The ability of keeping catalytic activity in the dark has been the ultimate goal for the wide application of photocatalysis. More and more efforts have been paid to develop photocatalysts to perform photocatalytic reactions under both light and dark conditions, which is so called “round-the-clock photocatalytic system” (RTCPS). RTCPS with an ability of energy storage can work well under both daytime and nighttime, which widely used in the removal of heavy metal ion, the degradation of organic pollutant, disinfection and hydrogen generation. The important potential of RTCPS necessitate timely reviews of the recent advances to streamline efforts. Thus, this review aimed to summarize the recent advances in RTCPS, including the mechanism, characterization techniques and applications. Moreover, future challenge and research direction on the mechanistic study, material design and potential applications are also discussed.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research