Z-scheme: A Photocatalysis for the Remediation of Environmental Pollutants

Abstract

Modern artificial heterostructures control redox reactions at the catalyst's active sites by effectively separating charges and transporting excitons with the help of light sources. Regarding environmental remediation, the Z-scheme—particularly in the degradation and mineralization of organic pollutants—plays a crucial role. Appropriately designed photocatalysts with Z-scheme have several benefits over conventional photocatalytic processes, including improved charge separation and effective redox process management in response to visible light. It provides the way for the creation of newer and more effective photocatalysts because it is said to make reduction and oxidation processes easier than with the constituent single precursor. In contrast to other heterostructure schemes like the Type-I and Type-II schemes, heterostructures with the Z-scheme mechanism attracted a lot of attention.

Keywords: Conduction band, Degradation, Excitons, Electron mediator, Holes, Heterojunction, Photocatalyst, Pollutants, Redox process, Semiconductor, Solar light, Valence band, Z-scheme.