S‐Scheme Photocatalytic Systems

• Published in: Solar RRL 2021-07, Vol.5 (7), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Bao, Yujie, Song, Shaoqing, Yao, Guojian, Jiang, Shujuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: band bending; Fermi level difference; internal electric field; S-scheme photocatalysts; solar energy conversion
• ISSN: 2367-198X; 2367-198X
• DOI: 10.1002/solr.202100118

Recently, step‐scheme (S‐scheme) photocatalysts have received widespread attention in the field of solar fuel development and transformation because of efficient charge spatial separation along with strong redox capabilities. Herein, the development history of S‐scheme photocatalysts is summarized and reviewed, from Z‐scheme photocatalysts to S‐scheme photocatalysts. Advantages of S‐scheme photocatalysts are also discussed in depth and detail, including design principles and construction strategies as well as charge transfer mechanisms. In addition, identification characterizations for S‐scheme photocatalysts and their solar energy conversion applications are also reviewed. Finally, conclusions and outlooks for solar energy conversion challenges are demonstrated. It provides insights and up‐to‐date information to enable the scientific community to fully tap into the potential of S‐scheme photocatalysts in renewable energy generation and environmental remediation. The built‐in electric field is constructed by the persistent Fermi energy difference, which provides a strong driving force for the photogenerated electrons and holes to migrate to the conduction band of semiconductor material II and the valence band of semiconductor material I, respectively, so as to achieve strong reduction and oxidation ability and high solar energy conversion efficiency.