Abstract The properly designed semiconductor photocatalysts are promising materials for solving the current serious energy and environmental issues because of their ability of using sunlight to stimulate various photocatalytic reactions. Especially, the constructed direct Z-scheme photocatalysts, mimicking the natural photosynthesis system, possess many merits, including increased light harvesting, spatially separated reductive and oxidative active sites, and well-preserved strong redox ability, which benefit the photocatalytic performance. This review concisely compiles the recent progress in the fabrication, modification, and major applications of the direct Z-scheme photocatalysts; the latter include water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, degradation of pollutants, and biohazard disinfection. It finishes with a brief presentation of future challenges and prospects in the development of direct Z-scheme photocatalytic systems.

中文翻译：

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直接Z型光催化剂：原理、合成和应用

摘要 设计合理的半导体光催化剂是解决当前严重的能源和环境问题的有前途的材料，因为它们能够利用阳光来激发各种光催化反应。特别是，所构建的直接Z型光催化剂模仿自然光合作用系统，具有许多优点，包括增加的光收集、空间分离的还原和氧化活性位点以及保存完好的强氧化还原能力，有利于光催化性能。这篇综述简明扼要地总结了直接 Z 型光催化剂的制造、改性和主要应用的最新进展；后者包括水分解、二氧化碳减少、污染物降解和生物危害消毒。