Design of the Synergistic Rectifying Interfaces in Mott–Schottky Catalysts

The functions of interfacial synergy in heterojunction catalysts are diverse and powerful, providing a route to solve many difficulties in energy conversion and organic synthesis. Among heterojunction-based catalysts, the Mott-Schottky catalysts composed of a metal-semiconductor heterojunction with predictable and designable interfacial synergy are rising stars of next-generation catalysts. We review the concept of Mott-Schottky catalysts and discuss their applications in various realms of catalysis. In particular, the design of a Mott-Schottky catalyst provides a feasible strategy to boost energy conversion and chemical synthesis processes, even allowing realization of novel catalytic functions such as enhanced redox activity, Lewis acid-base pairs, and electron donor-acceptor couples for dealing with the current problems in catalysis for energy conversion and storage. This review focuses on the synthesis, assembly, and characterization of Schottky heterojunctions for photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and organic synthesis. The proposed design principles, including the importance of constructing stable and clean interfaces, tuning work function differences, and preparing exposable interfacial structures for designing electronic interfaces, will provide a reference for the development of all heterojunction-type catalysts, electrodes, energy conversion/storage devices, and even super absorbers, which are currently topics of interest in fields such as electrocatalysis, fuel cells, CO₂ reduction, and wastewater treatment.