Inorganic-organic hybrid photocatalysts: Syntheses, mechanisms, and applications

Inorganic-organic hybrid materials are promising for application in the field of photocatalysis because of their excellent properties. Therefore, their syntheses, mechanisms, and applications are reviewed in this paper. First, we introduce the role of inorganic-organic photocatalysts, their advantages and disadvantages, and their design principles. Second, we present the top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods of the hybrid materials. The interaction between inorganic and organic components in hybrid materials is discussed, followed by how to improve inorganic-organic photocatalysts. Third, the applications of hybrid materials in the field of photocatalysis, such as realizing hydrogen evolution, organic pollutant degradation, heavy metals and CO₂ reduction, sterilization, and nitrogen fixation, are examined. Finally, the application prospects and development directions of inorganic-organic hybrid materials are explored and the unsolved problems are described.