FeVO4 photocatalysts: A critical review of structural design, interface engineering, and performance optimization for solar-driven environmental and energy catalysis

Iron vanadate (FeVO 4 ) is a low‑cost n‑type semiconductor with a narrow band gap of ~2.0–2.3 eV, exhibiting intrinsic visible‑light activity. However, its practical application is limited by rapid charge recombination, sluggish surface reaction kinetics, and insufficient redox potentials. This review offers a comprehensive and critical evaluation of FeVO 4 -based photocatalysts, integrating structural design, interface engineering, and performance optimization to establish benchmarks and design principles for this emerging material system. We first elucidate the triclinic crystal structure (space group P-1) and its structure-activity relationships. Controllable synthesis routes, including hydrothermal, sol-gel, co-precipitation, calcination, and microwave-assisted methods, are then assessed for their effects on morphology and activity. The core discussion centers on key modification strategies: type-II, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunctions for spatial charge separation; elemental doping and defect engineering for band structure modulation and surface reactivity enhancement; and morphology optimization or plasmonic loading for improved light harvesting and mass transfer. These synergistic markedly boosted photocatalytic performance in environmental remediation (organic-dye degradation, antibiotic removal, heavy metal reduction) and energy conversion (H 2 production, CO 2 reduction, N 2 fixation). In conclusion, we identify several remaining challenges, including in situ mechanistic elucidation, rational multi-strategy integration, long-term stability assessment, scalable green synthesis, and device engineering. We also outlining future research directions to guide the development of high-efficiency FeVO 4 -based photocatalytic systems.