LAUSR

Abstract The success of photocatalysis in different applications majorly depends on the efficiency or activity of the catalysts used in the visible light region. Although, several photocatalysts have been reported to be efficient in various photocatalytic applications, bismuth-based chalcogenides are one of the compounds with unique performance. This is because they possess band gap energies that allow them to absorb radiation in the visible light region of the solar spectrum. They are non-toxic, photostable, photoactive, re-usable, and can be chemically or biologically inert. The preparation of bismuth-based chalcogenides involves the incorporation of oxides, sulphides, selenides and tellurides onto the bismuth compound in order to develop different photocatalysts. The various synthesis procedure for bismuth containing compounds are discussed extensively. The chemical and physical properties of these photocatalysts, with their possible morphological forms are highlighted. Furthermore, other characterization techniques which includes Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were also discussed to establish the difference between several bismuth-based chalcogenide catalysts. The photocatalytic application of these materials with their respective mechanisms were also critically reviewed in this study.