Hollow semiconductor photocatalysts for solar energy conversion

The development of high-efficient photocatalysts plays an important role in the sustainable utilization of solar energy. Hollow nanostructured photocatalysts are vital for solar light utilization and charge carrier separation in photocatalytic processes. Therefore, the construction of hollow semiconductor photocatalysts is a promising strategy for preparing novel high-efficient photocatalysts. This paper reviews common hollow semiconductor nanomaterials, such as oxides, sulfides, nitrides, C3N4, MOFs, and their composite photocatalysts. The characteristics of hollow-structure photocatalysts, the application of solar energy conversion, and their understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism are also reviewed. In addition, future challenges will be focused on designing and majorizing broadband response hollow-structure photocatalysts to further enhance solar energy conversion. Hollow semiconductor photocatalysts will have potential applications in the natural environment, and these synthesized strategies can also provide new possibilities for synthesizing other high-performance semiconductor photocatalysts. Hollow semiconductor photocatalytic nanomaterials including oxides, sulfides, nitrides, g-C3N4, MOFs and their composites are reviewed. The characteristics, formation, applications for solar energy conversion and the deep understanding of photocatalytic mechanism for hollow semiconductor photocatalysts are also reviewed, which may provide new insights for fabricating high-performance hollow photocatalysts. [Display omitted] •This review summarizes hollow photocatalysts including oxides, sulfides, nitrides, C3N4, MOF.•The effects of different modification methods of hollow photocatalysts are reviewed.•The recent development for preparing hollow semiconductor photocatalysts is summarized.•The application of hollow photocatalysts for solar energy conversion is reviewed.•The potential directions for hollow photocatalysts are proposed.