Recent advances in structural tailoring of BiOX-based 2D composites for solar energy harvesting

Photocatalytic solar energy harvesting is considered as an excellent pathway to address the environmental energy dilemma. Due to the unique layered and band structure of bismuth oxyhalide (BiOX), it is an emergent class of photocatalysts which display adequate properties that promote the robust light response and may result in amplification of solar energy conversion. The current review will summarize the recent revolution in BiOX-based energy applications such as H 2 and O 2 evolution, as well as N 2 fixation, and will present structural engineering and design solutions for improving energy conversion. Particularly, the preparation and structure tailoring of BiOX materials, as well as some other advanced techniques such as the building of Moiré superlattices, heterojunctions, and tailoring the internal electric field, may boost the photocatalysis of BiOX materials. Additionally, various composite frameworks are discussed, emphasizing the importance of BiOX-based nanocomposites. Finally, the primary problems and potential for the material based on BiOX are discussed in terms of their future development. This review will provide a link between structural engineering and environmental applications and will provide a preferred path toward the novel material design based on BiOX for environmental and in particular, energy-related applications. An emerging class of photocatalysts has arisen a ternary semiconductor of bismuth oxyhalides (BiOX, X = Cl, Br and I) with a tetragonal matlockite structure. Outstanding properties (optical, electronic, and structural) of these layered materials are created by the synergistic effect of strong covalent bond formation along with van der Waals interaction between atomic layers. Various strategies are implanted for better performance regarding solar energy harvesting. This review makes a bridge between structural engineering and solar energy harvesting applications and provides valuable insights about future opportunities. • Recent Advances in BiOX-Based 2D Composites for Solar Energy Harvesting are summarized in this review. • BiOX-based energy applications such as H 2 and O 2 evolution, as well as N 2 fixation are well included. • Various composite frameworks of BiOX-based nanocomposites are discussed. • The link between structural engineering and environmental applications is provided.