Critical Aspects and Recent Advances in Structural Engineering of Photocatalysts for Sunlight‐Driven Photocatalytic Reduction of CO₂ into Fuels

Abstract

The catalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable fuels is a compelling solution for tackling the global warming and fuel crisis. Light absorption and charge separation, as well as adsorption/activation of CO2 on the photocatalyst surface, are essential steps for this process. This article reviews the CO2 photoreduction mechanisms and critical aspects that greatly affect the photoreduction efficiency. Additionally, different materials for CO2 photoreduction are provided, including d0 and d10 metal oxides/mixed oxides, sulfides, polymeric materials, and metal phosphides with visible response, metal‐organic frameworks, and layer double hydroxides. Furthermore, various structural engineering strategies and corresponding state‐of‐the‐art photocatalytic systems are reviewed and discussed, such as bandgap engineering, geometrical nanostructure engineering, and heterostructure engineering. Each strategy has advantages and disadvantages, requiring further adjustment to further improve the photocatalytic performance of the photocatalyst. Based on this review, it is greatly expected that efficiently artificial systems and the breakthrough technologies for CO2 reduction will be successfully developed in the future to solve the energy shortage as well as the environmental problem.

POM‐Incorporated CoO Nanowires for Enhanced Photocatalytic Syngas Production from CO2

“…As demonstrated broadly in previous reports, the three key factors of an enhanced photocatalyst are broad visible-light absorption, facilitated charge-separation-transportation efficiency, and improved surface catalytic activity. [13,32,33] Accordingly, we find that both morphological and structural devisal are essential for a high-performance catalyst. The ultrathin size would benefit the charge-hole separation and transportation process, while ingeniously designed amorphous structure and chemical composition would result in the high catalytic performance and optimized energy level.…”

Catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels: the collective thermocatalytic/photocatalytic/electrocatalytic approach with graphitic carbon nitride

“…In ideal conditions, CO 2 reduction follows some fundamental steps, like other light assisted reactions such as water splitting, N 2 reduction, and organic transformations. [131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139][140] The basic operating steps involved in the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction are summarized in two categories, namely optoelectronic and physicochemical steps, that are complementary to each other:…”

Enhanced CO evolution for photocatalytic conversion of CO2 by H2O over Ca modified Ga2O3

“…In general, the photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 over an excited semiconductor-based catalyst involves three main steps. First, CO 2 molecules are adsorbed on the photocatalyst surface [9][10][11] . Second, the photogenerated electrons react with the adsorbed CO 2 species and protons (H + ) to yield products such as carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH 4 ), CH 3 OH, and HCOOH.…”