Lignin-based photocatalytic materials: Fabrication, applications, and perspectives

Over the past decade, sustainable lignin-based photocatalytic materials have sprung up, offering the potential for harnessing solar energy and renewable biomass sources. Lignin, as the most abundant natural aromatic compound, possesses high carbon content and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, making it a promising material for modifying photocatalysts to enhance light absorption, facilitate electron transfer, and prevent particle aggregation. Despite the increasing reports on lignin-based photocatalytic materials, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the regulation and design of their structures. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of lignin-based photocatalytic materials, focusing on lignin's roles, fabrication strategies, and future design consideration. It discusses recent advancements in photocatalytic applications and delves into the microscopic mechanisms of the corresponding reactions. Additionally, it outlines the current challenges faced by lignin-based photocatalytic materials, offering insights for future developments in the field of photocatalysis. • Development and potential of lignin-based photocatalytic materials is overviewed. • The roles of lignin in lignin-based photocatalytic materials are highlighted. • Preparation methods and applications of lignin-based photocatalytic materials are summarized. • Challenges and future directions for lignin-based photocatalytic materials are presented.