Volume 60, Issue 30 pp. 16309-16328
Review

Photocatalysis Enhanced by External Fields

Cheng Hu

Cheng Hu

Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083 P. R. China

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Shuchen Tu

Shuchen Tu

Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083 P. R. China

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Dr. Na Tian

Corresponding Author

Dr. Na Tian

Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083 P. R. China

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Dr. Tianyi Ma

Corresponding Author

Dr. Tianyi Ma

Discipline of Chemistry, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia

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Prof. Yihe Zhang

Prof. Yihe Zhang

Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083 P. R. China

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Prof. Hongwei Huang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hongwei Huang

Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083 P. R. China

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First published: 07 August 2020
Citations: 334

Graphical Abstract

External fields, including microwaves, mechanical stress, temperature gradient, external electric field, magnetic field, and coupled multiple fields, provide an effective and facile strategy to enhance the photocatalytic performance of semiconductors.

Abstract

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, CO2 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.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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