ABSTRACT

The design and application of semiconductor-based photocatalytic technology has a significant impact on addressing the world’s energy crisis and environmental degradation by transforming solar energy into chemicals and fuels. Semiconductor-based photocatalyst, ceria (CeO₂), which possesses unique 4f electrons, is superior to other metal oxide semiconductors owing to its defect-rich structure, multivalence state, surface oxygen vacancy, photostability, and eco-friendly properties. This critical review is taken up to report the basic mechanistic details of CeO₂-based photocatalysis as well as several methods for boosting the activity and stability of this group of photocatalysts. Additionally, numerous photocatalytic applications of CeO₂, such as H₂ generation by water splitting and CO₂ reduction to alcohols and hydrocarbon fuels, are introduced and summarized. In the end, a concise summary of the challenges and potential areas for future research in the synthesis of CeO₂-based photocatalysts are also provided. This review is anticipated to provide directions for developing innovative CeO₂-based photocatalysts with low-cost and high efficiency, which have the promising application possibilities to fulfill the pressing needs of alternative fuels.

摘要

基于半导体的光催化技术的设计和应用通过将太阳能转化为化学品和燃料，对解决世界能源危机和环境退化具有重大影响。基于半导体的光催化剂二氧化铈 (CeO ₂ ) 具有独特的 4f 电子，由于其富含缺陷的结构、多价态、表面氧空位、光稳定性和环保特性，优于其他金属氧化物半导体。这篇批判性综述旨在报告基于 CeO ₂的光催化的基本机理细节以及提高这组光催化剂的活性和稳定性的几种方法。_{此外，CeO 2}的许多光催化应用，例如 H介绍和总结了通过水分解和 CO ₂还原生成醇类和碳氢化合物燃料的_2代。最后，还简要总结了 CeO ₂基光催化剂合成的挑战和未来研究的潜在领域。该综述有望为开发低成本、高效率的创新型CeO _{2基光催化剂提供方向，具有满足替代燃料迫切需求的广阔应用前景。}