Light-driven catalytic conversion of CO2 with heterogenized molecular catalysts based on fourth period transition metals

Abstract

• Dispersions of heterogenized catalysts can benefit photocatalytic CO 2 reduction. • Catalysts can be attached covalently, electrostatically, or non-covalently. • The support material chemistry is important, i.e. band-gap and hydrophobicity. • The same chemistry can be used to attach catalysts to photoelectrodes. • Molecular CO 2 reduction catalysts can be incorporated into MOF and COF frameworks. This review examines recent advances in photocatalytic CO 2 reduction using heterogenized molecular catalysts. The main part of the discussion is focused on the chemistry used to attach catalysts to different supports to produce hybrid materials, and how this effects photocatalytic performance. Examples of hybrid materials used for colloidal dispersions and solid suspensions are presented, including those based on carbon nitride, chalcogenide and perovskite quantum dots, and metal oxides. Some key examples in which this chemistry has been employed to make electrodes and photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical CO 2 reduction are also presented. In addition, the incorporation of molecular catalysts into ordered, porous frameworks (MOFs and COFs) is discussed because it offers many new and unique chemical pathways for heterogenization. Lastly, an outlook for this field and the potential future impact of these systems on solar fuels research is given.