Synthesis, Functional Modifications, and Diversified Applications of Hybrid BiOCl-Based Heterogeneous Photocatalysts: A Review

The construction and regulation of heterogeneous interfaces are beneficial to improve solar light harvesting and photocharge separation of hybrid BiOCl-based photocatalysts, which are attributed to the synergistic effects that originate from the integrated interaction between disparate components. With the rapid development of synthetic technologies, hybrid BiOCl-based micro-/nanostructures with diversified components, morphologies, and sizes have been well prepared. Moreover, hybrid BiOCl-based photocatalysts have presented a promising potential for various photo-catalytic applications, such as organic pollutant degradation, hydrogen production, NO removal, CO2 reduction, heavy metal ion detection, disinfection, nitrogen fixation, and alcohol oxidation. Previously, several review articles have mainly summarized the advances made in synthetic methods, morphological control, modification strategies, and applications of the bare BiOCl micro-/nanostructures. However, a comprehensive overview based on the type of species and the corresponding correlations between microstructures, performances, as well as photocatalytic mechanisms has been less reported for hybrid BiOCl-based photocatalysts so far. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the basic theory and research progress of hybrid BiOCl-based photocatalysts is imperative. This review aims to provide an overview of the important advances made in eight types of hybrid BiOCl-based photocatalysts, including metal/BiOCl, metal oxide/BiOCl, metal sulfide/BiOCl, BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)/BiOCl, AgX (X = Cl, Br, I)/BiOCl, organics/BiOCl, carbon/BiOCl, and other BiOCl-based multicomponents. In each classification, the synthetic methods, modification strategies, relationships between interfacial microstructures, and enhanced performances are discussed based on some typical examples. Additionally, some scientific issues and potential directions are also given. Hopefully, this review paper will provide a useful reference for researchers currently focusing on exploring new BiOCl-based photocatalysts.