Recent Development in Defects Engineered Photocatalysts: An Overview of the Experimental and Theoretical Strategies

Recently, defect architectured photocatalysis is proved to be the most versatile choice for high solar to chemical energy conversion processes. Defect engineering strategies are of great demand to effectively tune the electronic microstructure and surface morphologies of semiconductors to boost charge carrier concentration and extend light harvesting capability. This review provides a comprehensive insight to various kinds of defects along with their synthesis procedures and controlling mechanism to uplift photocatalytic activity. In addition, the contribution made by defects and material optimization techniques toward electronic band structure of the photocatalyst, the optimal concentration of defects, the key adsorption processes, charge distribution, and transfer dynamics have been explained in detail. Further, to clarify the relationship between photocatalytic activity and defect states in real, a comprehensive outlook to the versatile photocatalytic applications has been presented to highlight current challenges and future applications. Defect engineering therefore stands as the next step toward advancement in the design and configuration of modern photocatalysts for high efficiency photocatalysis.