Chemistry of CeVO₄ in photocatalysis for cleaner environment and renewable energy

Abstract

Globally photocatalysis has been considered the most auspicious technology that can activate and convert organic pollutants into sustainable environment, and renewable energy-related systems. A practical way to increase solar radiation sensitivity and accelerate electron (e⁻) mobility is to construct semiconductor hetero-interface wide-ranging sunlight-driven photocatalysts. CeVO₄ is a ceria-based semiconducting material revealing exceptional photo-physical properties including reversible valence state, high oxygen storing capacity, thermo-mechanically & chemically stable, and abundant mobile oxygen vacancies that assist in the conversion of the associated chemical reactions. Comprehensively summarized important factors affecting the photocatalysis reaction efficiency namely, morphology, crystal facets, defect structure, doping metallic & non-metallic ions, and coupling or formation of hybrid heterojunction with different materials. A considerable effort should be exercised to architect appropriate heterointerfaces, which efficiently promote the absorption of photons under UV, visible, and solar illumination to enrich the immigration of photoexcited charge carriers during the excitation stage, and reduces losses of e⁻s, while the excitation state is necessary for the outstanding performance of CeVO₄ photocatalysis reaction. Intriguing and distinctive characteristics of metallic ion doping, coupling binary, ternary oxides, and carbonaceous materials with CeVO₄ photocatalytic systems have drawn much curiosity to build the most efficient photocatalyst technology development. Some external parameters including photo-produced e⁻−h⁺ pairs recombination, concentration of the photocatalysts/organic contaminants, pH of solution temperature, and oxidizing agent, significantly influence the photocatalysis reaction process consequently reducing the quantum yield. This review provides valuable insights, and critically assesses recent progress in designing highly efficient and sustainable photocatalytic systems, with broad implications for environmental remediation and renewable energy technologies.