Transforming CO2 into fuels by utilizing sunlight is promising to synchronously overcome global warming and energy-supply issues. It is crucial to design efficient photocatalysts with intriguing features such as robust light-harvesting ability, strong redox potential, high charge-separation, and excellent durability. Hitherto, a single-component photocatalyst is incapable to simultaneously meet all these criteria. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, constructing artificial Z-scheme photocatalysts provides a facile way to conquer these bottlenecks. In this review, we firstly introduce the fundamentals of photocatalytic CO2 reduction and Z-scheme systems. Thereafter we discuss state-of-the-art Z-scheme photocatalytic CO2 reduction, whereby special attention is placed on the predominant factors that affect photoactivity. Additionally, further modifications that are important for efficient photocatalysis are reviewed.

Z-Scheme Photocatalytic Systems for Carbon Dioxide Reduction: Where Are We Now?

g-C3N4/carbon dot-based nanocomposites serve as efficacious photocatalysts for environmental purification and energy generation: A review

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) is of great importance to tackle the rising CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The CO2 RR can be driven by renewable energy sources, producing precious chemicals and fuels, with the implementation of this process largely relying on the development of low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts. Recently, a range of heterogeneous and potentially low-cost single-atom catalysts (SACs) containing non-precious metals coordinated to earth-abundant elements have emerged as promising candidates for the CO2 RR. Unfortunately, the real catalytically active centers and the key factors that govern the catalytic performance of these SACs remain ambiguous. Here, this ambiguity is addressed by developing a fundamental understanding of the CO2 RR-to-CO process on SACs, as CO accounts for the major product from CO2 RR on SACs. The reaction mechanism, the rate-determining steps, and the key factors that control the activity and selectivity are analyzed from both experimental and theoretical studies. Then, the synthesis, characterization, and the CO2 RR performance of SACs are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future pathways are highlighted in the hope of guiding the design of the SACs to promote and understand the CO2 RR on SACs.

/pdf/heterogeneous-single-atom-catalysts-for-electrochemical-co2-2sd6c9u9ww.pdf

Heterogeneous Single‐Atom Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction

This work demonstrated a robust, scalable cell architecture for electroreduction of CO2 (CO2R). An up to 90% faradaic efficiency for the conversion of CO2R to formate at 500 mA/cm2 was realized at ...

A Robust, Scalable Platform for the Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Formate: Identifying Pathways to Higher Energy Efficiencies

Interfacial assembly of two-dimensional MXenes

The increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has led to the greenhouse effect, which greatly affects the climate and the ecological balance of nature. Therefore, converting CO2 into renewable fuels via clean and economical chemical processes has become a great concern for scientists. Electrocatalytic CO2 conversion is a prospective path toward carbon cycling. Among the different electrocatalysts, Sn-based electrocatalysts have been demonstrated as promising catalysts for CO2 electroreduction, producing formate and CO, which are important industrial chemicals. In this review, various Sn-based electrocatalysts are comprehensively summarized in terms of synthesis, catalytic performance, and reaction mechanisms for CO2 electroreduction. Finally, we concisely discuss the current challenges and opportunities of Sn-based electrocatalysts.

/pdf/advances-in-sn-based-catalysts-for-electrochemical-co2-24y9wv1237.pdf

Advances in Sn-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formate provides a method for the synthesis of valuable fuels and chemical products. Herein, SnS nanoparticles were grown in situ on Sn-atom-mo...

Sheng Li

Papers

Advances in Sn-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

SnS Nanoparticles Grown on Sn-Atom-Modified N,S-Codoped Mesoporous Carbon Nanosheets as Electrocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to Formate

Can conversion of CO2 into fuels via electrochemical or thermochemical reduction be energy efficient and reduce emissions?