Bi-tailored compounds for photocatalytic environmental applications: Current trends, advancements, challenges and future perspectives

The two most significant elements of human well-being and growth are the environment and energy. One of the major challenges confronting modern societies is the shortage of energy due to industrial development. This shortage of energy is a significant barrier to economic growth and development. However, the development of green and viable approaches for environmental and energy governance can help address this challenge. The conversion and utilization of energy in semiconductor materials is one such approach that has gained widespread attention in recent years. Advanced materials can improve the efficacy of energy conversion and preservation, making it more practical and cost-effective. Bismuth (Bi)-tailored materials are inexpensive, non-transitional, reusable metal that efficiently respond to visible light having strong potential in range of applications, including environmental governance and renewable energy production owing to its recommendable properties and distinct structure. Numerous parameters notably photo-oxidation stability, optimum bandgaps, distinctive layered structures, low toxicity and surface fabrications can govern their decomposition efficiency. Bismuth can be classified as a metal, a sulphide, a multi-component oxide, an oxyhalide and so on. Bismuth's recombination of electron hole pairs and structural instability can limit its usefulness in certain applications. However, there are bismuth-rich engineering strategies that can be employed to overcome these constraints. This article outlines structures, compositions, modification strategies and synthesis schemes for various Bi-tailored composites. Moreover, a few environmental applications also have been conferred in details. Finally, current challenges, research directions and prospects for the development of these advanced materials in the fields of environmental remediation and energy conversion have been summarized in this review article.