Account of doping photocatalyst for water splitting

In the field of photocatalytic water splitting, the strategy of doping photocatalysts has emerged as a significant and extensively studied approach. Doping can effectively facilitate the modification of both the microstructure and energy band structure of the photocatalyst, addressing key performance limitations such as light absorption, position of the conduction and valence band minima (CBM and VBM), photogenerated carrier separation, and surface chemical reactions. In recent years, we have reported several works about the doping of rare earth elements into bismuth-based composite oxides. These endeavors are aimed at enhancing the conduction band minimum and achieving overall water splitting under visible light. Based on these bismuth-based composite oxides, we studied the effects of doping on the microstructures of photocatalysts, including exposed surfaces, surface properties, and defects. Recently, we introduce an innovative asymmetric doping technique—Selected Local Gradient Doping, intricately placing doped ions within nanocapsules. This approach allows for the gradual, controlled, and localized release of doped ions to the primary photocatalyst. Therefore, this account is to review our related research in the field of doping for photocatalytic water splitting. The primary focus on doping bismuth-based composite oxides and Asymmetry doping would significantly make contribution to the exploration of novel materials for photocatalytic water splitting under visible light and the enhancement of energy conversion efficiency.