Bismuth-Based Materials as Solar-Driven Photo(Electro)Catalysts for Environmental Remediation

Bismuth-based semiconductors have emerged as a promising class of visible-light-responsive photo(electro)catalysts for environmental remediation owing to their tunable electronic structures, moderate band gaps, and relatively low toxicity. The stereochemically active Bi³⁺ 6s² lone pair and strong Bi-O orbital hybridization tailor valence-band states, enabling enhanced utilization of the solar spectrum and favorable charge-carrier dynamics. In addition, layered, perovskite-like, and aurivillius-type crystal frameworks generate internal electric fields that are advantageous for photoelectrochemical (PEC) operation. This review critically examines advances from 2015 to 2025 in the design, synthesis, modification, and environmental applications of bismuth-based photo(electro)catalysts, with particular emphasis on PEC systems for pollutant degradation. Major material families, including bismuth oxides, oxyhalides, oxychalcogenides, chalcogenides, perovskite-like oxides, and complex metal oxides, are discussed in relation to their structure-property-performance relationships. Key synthesis strategies, such as solid-state, sol-gel, hydro/solvothermal, microwave-assisted, spray pyrolysis, and electrodeposition methods, are compared with respect to morphology control, defect chemistry, and electrode integration. Performance-enhancing approaches, including elemental doping, oxygen-vacancy engineering, and the rational design of type-II, p-n, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunctions, are critically assessed. Practical considerations related to stability, scalability, and techno-economic constraints are highlighted. Finally, current challenges and future directions toward durable and application-ready bismuth-based PEC technologies are outlined.