One bismuth three benefits: an overview of bismuth-based photocatalysts for energy conversion, environmental treatment and biomedical applications

Abstract

A wide variety of bismuth-based photocatalysts are considered excellent candidates for energy conversion, environmental pollutant treatment and biomedical engineering applications and have attracted extensive attention owing to their unique electronic structural properties, good photoelectric response and safety. However, the pristine bismuth-based nanomaterials still have some limitations in the comprehensive application, e.g. their fast charge recombination restricts photoelectric utilization efficiency, whereas their low quantum yield and low light absorption capacity restrict catalytic activity. Therefore, reliable functional modification of bismuth-based materials is performed to achieve a wider range of applications in many reports. In this review, the research progress on bismuth-based photocatalysts in energy, environment and biomedicine is summarized in detail. Furthermore, in order to effectively promote the overall understanding and application of bismuth-based materials, the functional modification methods are also reviewed in this review. Finally, we evaluated the opportunities and challenges encountered by bismuth-based photocatalysts, aiming to provide guidance for the rapid development of bismuth-based photocatalysts.