Hybrid Semiconductor Photocatalyst Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications: Fundamentals, Designing, and Prospects

The degradation of fossil fuel and worse environmental conditions leads to the emergence of hybrid semiconductor (SC) nanomaterials as photocatalysts. Hybrid SCs have interesting physical, mechanical, optical, chemical, and electronic characteristics. Due to these properties' absorption of light and transfer of charge takes place frequently and hence act as multifunctional surface. These materials should be attributed to their optical and electrical properties and act as multifunctional surfaces in energy production, fuel generation, environmental remediation, sensing, etc. When SCs combine with noble, non-noble metal, metal oxide, and some carbon-based materials, they explore wide applications in various fields. Photocatalysis is an effective and sustainable technology to reduce or fix energy concerns and environmental corrosion problems. By going through the extensive literature review, few topics are focused on designing and working mechanisms of hybrid materials. In this way, the present review article explains the properties, surface-interface engineering, design, and applications (energy and environmental) of hybrid nanomaterials, emphasizing their photocatalytic nature. Additionally, the appealing directions, scientific challenges, and the reasons behind the poor stability of Hybrid SC photocatalyst nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications are discussed. Finally, the concluding remarks and the current challenges with future prospects in this domain are highlighted.