Photothermal nanoreactors for photocatalytic solar energy conversion

This review provides an overview on the categories and photothermal mechanisms of photothermal nanomaterials, with a focus on the design strategies and synthesis methods of photothermal nanoreactors with hollow, yolk-shell, and porous structures, as well as the latest advancements in their applications for solar energy conversion. The latest technologies for studying photothermal catalytic mechanisms at the nanoscale are introduced, and an outlook on the current challenges and future directions of photothermal nanoreactors is proposed. [Display omitted] •Photothermal nanoreactors offer great prospects in photocatalytic energy conversion.•The categories and photothermal mechanisms of photothermal materials are described.•Advantages and preparation strategies of photothermal nanoreactors are summarized.•The latest techniques for probing photoinduced heat at the nanoscale are reviewed.•Challenges and perspectives of photothermal nanoreactors are illustrated pertinently. Photothermal catalysis represents a promising avenue towards achieving full-spectrum utilization of solar irradiation and enhancing the efficiency of solar energy conversion. Photothermal nanoreactors, characterized by their notable photothermal effects, are nanoscale or sub-micron-sized reactors that serve as highly efficient platforms for photocatalytic solar energy conversion, offering enormous opportunities for optimizing energy conversion. This review begins by outlining the classification of photothermal nanomaterials and their corresponding photothermal conversion mechanisms. Subsequently, the design principles, synthesis strategies, and photothermal synergistic catalytic mechanisms of hollow, yolk-shell, and porous photothermal nanoreactors are discussed from the perspective of photothermal synergy. Additionally, a representative overview of the latest technologies for exploring the photothermal catalytic mechanisms of photothermal nanoreactors at the nanoscale is provided. Finally, the widespread applications of photothermal nanoreactors in photothermal catalytic solar energy conversion in recent years are reviewed, and an outlook on the current challenges and potential research directions of photothermal nanoreactors is proposed.