title: Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Systems for Promoting Photocatalytic Performance: Recent Progress and Future Challenges.
abstract: Semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted increased attention due to their great potential for solving energy and environmental problems. The formation of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems that mimic natural photosynthesis is a promising strategy to improve photocatalytic activity that is superior to single component photocatalysts. The connection between photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) are crucial for constructing efficient Z-scheme photocatalytic systems using two photocatalysts (PS I and PS II). The present review concisely summarizes and highlights recent state-of-the-art accomplishments of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems with diverse connection modes, including i) with shuttle redox mediators, ii) without electron mediators, and iii) with solid-state electron mediators, which effectively increase visible-light absorption, promote the separation and transportation of photoinduced charge carriers, and thus enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. The challenges and prospects for future development of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE) Institute of Acoustics, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 Jiangsu P. R. China; School of Mathematics and Physics Institute of Optoelectronic Information Materials and Technology Anhui University of Technology Ma'anshan 243002 Anhui P. R. China; National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures School of Physics Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology Nanjing University 22 Hankou Road Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 P. R. China.
authors.forename: Haijin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE)Institute of Acoustics, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 Jiangsu P. R. China; National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures School of Physics Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology Nanjing University 22 Hankou Road Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wenguang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (MOE)Institute of Acoustics, Department of Physics Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 Jiangsu P. R. China; National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures School of Physics Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology Nanjing University 22 Hankou Road Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures School of Physics Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology Nanjing University 22 Hankou Road Nanjing Jiangsu 210093 P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zou
keywords: Z‐scheme; charge carriers; connection modes; electron mediators; photocatalysts