Visible and near infrared light active photocatalysis based on conjugated polymers

[Display omitted] •Conjugated polymers are prominent metal-free photocatalysts.•Conjugated polymers are promising for visible- and near infrared-active photocatalysis.•Linear, graphitic, porous, nanostructured and coordinated polymers are described.•Hybrid systems with nanocarbons, metals and metal oxides enhance photocatalytic activities.•Inherent instability of conjugated polymer-based photocatalysts is also addressed. Conjugated polymers have been used to produce solar energy conversion materials in photovoltaics due to their outstanding light harvesting properties and low-cost processing. However, their photocatalytic activity has only recently been highlighted with the preparation of robust, metal-free, and visible or near-infrared light active photocatalysts. This review describes why the study of photocatalysis based on conjugated polymers has become vivid these days in comparison to inorganic or metal-based photocatalysts, and further illustrates the developed technologies concerning exclusively conjugated polymers but also hybrid structures. The different forms of the conjugated polymer photocatalysts include linear, graphitic C,N-based, porous, nanostructured, and coordinated polymers or polymers with units made of small molecular dye structures. The hybrid systems contain combinations of conjugated polymers with graphene, metals, or metal oxides. A perspective on the challenges posed by the future exploration of photocatalysts based on conjugated polymers is also provided, covering the inherent instability issues of conjugated polymers during the harsh photocatalytic reaction conditions. This review aims to provide an insight for the utilization of conjugated polymers in the fields of photocatalysis, energy conversion, and environment-friendly applications of solar energy.