Advances in S-scheme heterojunction semiconductor photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction, nitrogen fixation and NO_x degradation

Photocatalysis has established itself as a fascinating topic, giving promise for effective processing of greenhouse gases and contaminants into useful products, in the search for renewable energy sources and atmospheric rehabilitation. This review study provides a thorough examination of S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with an emphasis on their uses in the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂, N₂ fixation and NO_x degradation processes. The review explains various environment-related issues, the basic ideas of photocatalysis and heterojunctions, emphasizing the benefits of S-scheme topologies in increasing interfacial transmission of charges and lowering electron-hole recombination. The fundamentals and issues of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, nitrogen fixation and NO_x degradation, outlining the mechanics involved in employing S-scheme heterojunctions have been discussed. The recent advancements of S-scheme photocatalysts for a variety of applications are highlighted in this review. The future prospects of such assemblies are also critically evaluated, highlighting the importance of full use of solar spectrum, wide scale preparation of photocatalysts, maintaining the redox capability and mechanism elucidation to prepare superior S-scheme heterojunctions to resolve the important energy and environmental issues.