Surface engineering strategies for particulate photocatalysts toward photocatalytic H2O2 production

Abstract

The photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) using particulate photocatalysts is a safe, sustainable and green process that requires only oxygen and water as feedstocks and solar energy as a power source. Surface engineering on particulate photocatalysts can significantly improve the performance of photocatalytic H₂O₂ production by optimizing light absorption, surface charge separation, and reaction pathways. To provide a comprehensive and systematic illustration of this topic, various surface engineering strategies are classified and elaborated in this review, which are mainly included in the following two aspects. The first one involves surface modification relating to crystal facets, surface vacancies, and surface functional groups. The second one focuses on surface composite strategies, including combination with metals, semiconductors, carbon nanomaterials, polyoxometalates or their derivatives, and organic compounds. Finally, the challenges and prospects in the surface engineering strategies for particulate photocatalysts for promoting photocatalytic H₂O₂ production are analyzed and discussed.