Toward the Rational Selection of Safe and Sustainable Solvents in Semiconductor Photocatalysis

Semiconductor photocatalysis has gained recognition for its sustainability and has seen considerable advancements in recent decades. Despite this progress, the critical role of solvents in influencing photocatalytic performance remains underexplored, particularly in the context of safe and sustainable solvent systems. This perspective advocates for a systematic shift toward the use of safe and sustainable solvents and proposes a rational workflow for their selection, moving beyond conventional trial-and-error methods. Key challenges in adopting this approach are discussed, along with future directions that call for coordinated efforts across academia and industry. Central to this vision are the development of a comprehensive solvent database, predictive models for solvent effects, and a standardized safety and sustainability ranking system that integrates both green chemistry metrics and life cycle assessments.