Shining light on the role of shape-controlled nanomaterials in photocatalysis

Shape-controlled nanomaterials have been in the spotlight of photocatalysis for nearly two decades as they afford a unique level of energetic and structural tunability while possessing many desirable characteristics of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as solution stability, high turnover number, and facile catalyst isolation. However, they come with their own set of challenges. Fundamentally, photocatalysis can be thought of as an analog to electrocatalysis, wherein thermodynamic driving force is provided by photosensitizer-originated excited charge carriers as opposed to an external circuit. In this minireview, recent advances and challenges in the development of shape-controlled nanomaterials for photocatalysis are highlighted, drawing attention to emerging areas of research and development such as nontoxic heavy metal–free photocatalysts, nanocrystal–ligand–solution interface engineering, and biohybrid systems for improved activity in challenging redox reactions.