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Recently, the bismuth-based (Bi-based) Z-scheme photocatalysts have been paid great attention due to their good solar energy utilization capacity, the high separation rate of their photogenerated hole-electron pairs, and strong redox ability. They are considerably more promising materials than single semiconductors for alleviating the energy crisis and environmental deterioration by efficiently utilizing sunlight to motivate various photocatalytic reactions for energy production and pollutant removal. In this review, the traits and recent research progress of Bi-based semiconductors and recent achievements in the synthesis methods of Bi-based direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts are explored. The recent photocatalytic applications development of Bi-based Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts in environmental pollutants removal and detection, water splitting, CO2 reduction, and air (NOx) purification are also described concisely. The challenges and future perspective in the studies of Bi-based Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts are discussed and summarized in the conclusion of this mini review.