Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Semiconductors for Photocatalysis in Energy and Environment Applications

The search for highly active photocatalysts remains one of the most challenging tasks for realizing efficient solar energy utilization. Inspired by their unique and excellent physicochemical properties, ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors present great advantages in photocatalytic researches. In this review, we summarize the state-of-art progress on the ultrathin 2D semiconductors with a particular emphasis on their recent advances in energy and environment applications. First, we introduce the historical developments of 2D nanomaterials, and outline their advantages in terms of photocatalysis. Second, the classifications of ultrathin 2D semiconductors are summarized based on their structure and compositions. Further, various energy and environment applications including water splitting, CO2 reduction, N-2 fixation, organic syntheses, NOx removal, water treatment, and sterilization in recent years (mainly in the recent 3 years) are highlighted in detail. Finally, the personal perspectives on future challenges and outlooks in the field of energy and environment applications are featured.