Bismuth metal and semiconductor-based photocatalysts: structure tuning, activity enhancement, and reaction mechanism

Bismuth (Bi) metal and Bi-based semiconductors are promising photocatalysts to harvest solar light for environmental remediation and solar energy conversion. With the development of material characterization techniques and theoretical calculations, research in improving the performance and elucidating the reaction mechanism of Bi-based photocatalytic systems has expanded exponentially in the last decade. Hence, this chapter endeavors to introduce the structure tuning, photocatalytic activity enhancement, and reaction mechanism for Bi metal and Bi-based compounds, including bismuth oxycarbonate ((BiO)2CO3), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), and bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX, X = Cl, Br, and I). The in-depth understanding and summarization can provide a new perspective and guidance for the rational design of Bi-based photocatalysts and advance the fundamental theories of photocatalysis.