Near-infrared driven semiconductor-based photocatalysis for energy and environmental applications: mechanism, material, and device

Abstract

Solar-driven semiconductor-based photocatalysis for fuel production and environmental protection has emerged as a promising approach to alleviate the global energy and environmental crises. Among the components of solar radiation, near-infrared (NIR) light accounts for a large portion of the spectrum and possesses unique photothermal properties, making its efficient utilization crucial for enhancing photocatalytic energy conversion. This review summarizes the mechanisms for NIR light absorption, including direct NIR absorption, photon upconversion, and plasmon-induced processes, together with representative NIR-responsive materials for CO2 reduction, hydrogen evolution, and pollutant degradation. Recent developments in devices are also reviewed, with emphasis on the special requirements of NIR light for reactor design. Conventional performance evaluation metrics and their limitations in NIR photocatalysis have also been highlighted. Furthermore, it also addresses current challenges and potential research directions to improve photocatalytic performance and facilitate the practical applications of NIR photocatalytic systems in energy and environmental fields.