Strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of semiconductors

Semiconductor photocatalysis, as a safe and environmentally friendly technology, has drawn a lot of attention due to its potential to address issues with energy and the environment. Recently, different semiconductors have been designed and modified in order to obtain efficient photocatalysts. Here, semiconductor photocatalytic materials and the reaction fundamentals of semiconductor photocatalysis are briefly introduced. Six methods have been introduced to improve the photocatalytic activity of semiconductors, which are morphology and crystal modification, doping induction, plasmonic metal nanoparticles deposition, heterojunctions construction with other semiconductor materials, dye sensitization, and organic modification. Besides, the challenges and potential for developing semiconductor photocatalytic materials in the future are highlighted. It is hoped to help preparing semiconductors with better photocatalytic performance.