Synergizing Photocatalysis with Aurivillius-Phase Bi4Ti3O12: Current Insights and Emerging Trends

Abstract

Photocatalysis is a promising green technology addressing energy and environmental challenges due to its energy efficiency and eco-friendly nature and garnering extensive interest. Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO), a bismuth-based Aurivillius-type semiconductor, holds significant potential as a photocatalysts due to its distinctive layered structure and inherent polarization properties. However, the photocatalytic performance and further utility of BTO are still constrained by several challenges including inadequate light absorption, suboptimal carrier efficiency/dynamics (in terms of generation, separation and migration) and ambiguous reaction mechanisms. This contribution encompasses a comprehensive analysis of BTO, highlighting the structure-properties correlations, fundamental principles and key strategies utilized to enhance its photocatalytic functionality. These strategies encompass microstructure regulation (morphology tailoring), crystal structure modification (surface defects and doping with foreign elements), and composite adjustments (metal deposition and heterostructure construction). Additionally, we summarize the applications of BTO and its derivates in the critical areas of pollutant degradation, CO2 reduction, and H2 production from water. Finally, we distill several prospects and identify potential avenues for the advancement of BTO-based materials. The aim of this work is to distill cumulative progress and to furnish a theoretical framework for the holistic application and strategic design of BTO-based photocatalytic systems.