A review on TiO₂-based Z-scheme photocatalysts

TiO₂-based Z-scheme photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention because of the low recombination rate of their photogenerated electron–hole pairs and their high photocatalytic efficiency. In this review, the reaction mechanism of Z-scheme photocatalysts, recent research progress in the application of TiO₂-based Z-scheme photocatalysts, and improved methods for photocatalytic performance enhancement are explored. Their applications, including water splitting, CO₂ reduction, decomposition of volatile organic compounds, and degradation of organic pollutants, are also described. The main factors affecting the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂-based Z-scheme photocatalysts, such as pH, conductive medium, cocatalyst, architecture, and mass ratio, are discussed. Concluding remarks are presented, and some suggestions for the future development of TiO₂-based Z-scheme photocatalysts are highlighted. Copyright © 2017 Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.