Recent advances in one-dimensional alkali-metal hexatitanate photocatalysts towards environmental remediation and solar fuel production

The global energy crisis and environmental problems have become two unprecedented challenges. Semiconductor photocatalysis offers a promising strategy to solve them, while its practical application requires advanced photocatalytic materials. In recent years, one-dimensional (1D) alkali-metal hexatitanate (AHT) photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention in energy and environmental fields due to their high chemical stability, excellent photoactivity, unique ion-exchange, environment friendly, and cost-effective properties. In this review, we first introduce the basic properties of AHT including crystal and electronic band structure, photoactivity, and structure-property-performance relationship. Secondly, the recent advances in synthesis and modification strategies of 1D AHT photocatalysts are summarized thoughtfully, followed by a comprehensive discussion on their various environmental and energy applications, including pollutant degradation, H2 generation, and CO2 reduction. Finally, the key challenges and prospects are also highlighted for the development of high-performance 1D AHT-based photocatalysts for practical applications. We hope that this review will shed some light on the rational design of 1D Ti-O-based nanomaterials towards efficient solar fuel production and environmental remediation.