Recent progress in the photocatalytic reduction of aqueous carbon dioxide

Abstract

Using solar energy to convert CO2 to value-added chemicals and fuels can not only reduce carbon emission by the utilization of CO2 as feedstock, but also store solar energy as high-energy-density fuels, being considered an ultimate strategy to solve environment and energy issues. Developing efficient photocatalysts and photocatalytic systems for CO2 reduction is the most essential part in achieving this goal. Considerable developments in CO2 photocatalytic reduction have been made over past decades. This article reviews the latest progresses in aqueous CO2 photoreduction related to photocatalytically experimental design and photocatalyst materials, including TiO2-based photocatalysts, metal oxide-based photocatalysts, sulfide-based photocatalysts, graphene-based photocatalysts, oxometallate-based photocatalysts and other photocatalysts. In addition, experimental and theoretical studies on the possible mechanisms of CO2 photo-reduction reaction as well as the potential methods for mechanisms studies are also summarized. On the basis of the aforementioned discussions, we present the future prospects for further development of CO2 photocatalytic reduction.