alternative clean energy supplies and pollution-free technologies turns out to be high priority. [1,2] The CO 2 reduction project plays a pivotal role in response to the concerns because of its capability of exhausted gas consumption and combustible fuels generation. [3][4][5][6] Gas-phase thermal reduction of CO 2 to CO via endothermic reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction becomes an attractive strategy on account of abundant accessibility of thermal catalytic active sites. On the same time removing excessive CO 2 in atmosphere, the emitted CO can be also utilized directly as the feedstock for further fuel manufacturing (e.g., via the Fischer-Tropsch process). [7][8][9][10] However, to achieve purposeful CO 2 conversion, massive nonrenewable energy is indispensable to be invested in the reaction. Compared with traditional energy, alternative inexhaustible energy input has been discovered via photothermal process which effectively utilizes full spectrum of sunlight to lead accurate heating location and instantaneously raise the surface temperature of the catalysts. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Indium-oxide-based materials are a typical thermal catalyst with potential prospect for photothermal reduction of CO 2 . Its catalytic active sites promote the adsorption and activation for thermochemical CO 2 hydrogenation, [17,18] but the wide band (2.8 eV) is unfavorable for photothermal conversion for a long time. In order to expanding the limited optical adsorption of In 2 O 3 under sunlight, there have been persistent efforts to alter the material composition of In 2 O 3 , such as element doping, [19] precious metals supporting, [20] and nanostructured substance coating. [21] For example, when Bi metallic dopants are introduced, the optical adsorption can be modified as the result of electronic hybridization between Bi 6s and O 2p orbitals, upwardly shifting the valence band (VB) and consequently reducing bandgap. [22] Recently, Ozin group report a hybrid catalyst consisting of a vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) support evenly coated by In 2 O 3−x (OH) y nanoparticles to minimized reflection losses and enhanced light trapping within the SiNW support. [23] Basically, eminent photothermal catalysts are composite materials, but the pure ones have not come up yet. In order to construct various active sites to activate wide range of reactants, designing and modulating Photothermal CO 2 reduction technology has attracted tremendous interest as a solution for the greenhouse effect and energy crisis, and thereby it plays a critical role in solving environmental problems and generating economic benefits. In 2 O 3−x has emerged as a potential photothermal catalyst for CO 2 conversion into CO via the light-driven reverse water gas shift reaction. However, it is still a challenge to modulate the structural and electronic characteristics of In 2 O 3 to enhance photothermocatalytic activity synergistically. In this work, a novel route to activate inert In(OH) 3 into 2D black In 2 O 3−x nanosheets via photoinduced defect eng...

Photothermocatalytic CO 2 reduction as the channel of the energy and environmental issues resolution has captured persistent attention in recent years. In 2 O 3 has been prompted to be a potential photothermal catalyst in this sector on account of its unique physicochemical properties. However, different from the metal-based photothermal catalyst with the nature of efficient light-to-thermal conversion and H 2 dissociation, the wide-bandgap semiconductor needs to be modified to possess wide-wavelength-range absorption and the active surface. It remains a challenge to achieve the two aims simultaneously via a single material modulation approach. In this study, one strategy of carbon doping can empower In 2 O 3 with two advantageous modifications. Carbon doping can reduce the formation energy of oxygen vacancy, which induces the generation of oxygen-vacancy-riched material. The introduction of oxygen defect levels and carbon doping levels in the bandgap of In 2 O 3 significantly reduces this bandgap, which endows it full-spectral and intensive solar light absorption. Therefore, the carbon doped In 2 O 3 achieves effective light-to-thermal conversion and delivers a 123.6 mmol g -1 h -1 of CO generation rate with near-unity selectivity, as well as prominent stability in photothermocatalytic CO 2 reduction.

Liquid–vapor phase change including evaporation, boiling, and condensation is a ubiquitous process found in power generation, desalination, thermal management, building heating and cooling, and additive manufacturing. The dynamics of droplets and bubbles during phase change including nucleation, growth, and departure critically influence the thermal transport performance and system efficiency. This review will highlight recent advancements using static and dynamic strategies to manipulate droplets and bubbles for phase change applications and beyond.

Efficient dye sensitized photocathode for oxygen reduction reaction with high current density in both aqueous and aprotic electrolyte.