Bismuth-based metal-organic frameworks and derivatives for photocatalytic applications in energy and environment: Advances and challenges

Photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly technology for the utilizations of solar energy and has garnered significant attention in both scientific and industrial sectors. Developing cost-effective semiconductive materials is the core issue in photocatalysis. Bismuth-based metal-organic frameworks (Bi-MOFs) have emerged as attractive candidates in various photocatalytic applications, and Bi-MOFs derivatives further expand and consolidate their promising potential in the realm of photocatalysis. Various modification strategies including in-situ tailoring or external doping, as well as meticulous design and selection of metal nodes and organic linkers allow for fine control over the surface multifunctionality in Bi-MOF-based and derived photocatalytic composites with adjustable energy band structures and enhanced photocatalytic performance. In this review, the recent progress in the synthesis of diverse Bi-MOFs-based materials, Bi-MOFs derivatives, and their Bi-containing semiconductive composites were systemically analyzed and reviewed. The state-of-the-art research progresses in the applications of Bi-MOFs and derivatives, as well as composites in photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, photodegradation of organic pollutants, and photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction are comprehensively summarized. The relationships between structures, properties, and photocatalytic performance of Bi-based semiconductive composites are discussed in detail. In addition, the perspectives and future challenges on Bi-MOFs-based and derived materials for photocatalytic applications are also offered.