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Photocatalysis Enhanced by External Fields
Author(s) -
Hu Cheng,
Tu Shuchen,
Tian Na,
Ma Tianyi,
Zhang Yihe,
Huang Hongwei
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202009518
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , nanotechnology , semiconductor , energy transformation , solar energy conversion , degradation (telecommunications) , solar energy , chemistry , catalysis , optoelectronics , physics , computer science , telecommunications , electrical engineering , biochemistry , thermodynamics , engineering
The efficient conversion of solar energy by means of photocatalysis shows huge potential to relieve the ongoing energy crisis and increasing environmental pollution. However, unsatisfactory conversion efficiency still hinders its practical application. The introduction of external fields can remarkably enhance the photocatalytic performance of semiconductors from the inside out. This review focuses on recent advances in the application of diverse external fields, including microwaves, mechanical stress, temperature gradient, electric field, magnetic field, and coupled fields, to boost photocatalytic reactions, for applications in, for example, contaminant degradation, water splitting, CO 2 reduction, and bacterial inactivation. The relevant reinforcement mechanisms of photoabsorption, the transport and separation of photoinduced charges, and adsorption of reagents by the external fields are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and outlook for the development of external‐field‐enhanced photocatalysis are presented.