Emerging photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) systems synergize the advantages of electrocatalysis (EC) and photocatalysis (PC) and are considered a green and efficient approach to CO 2 conversion. However, improving the selectivity and conversion rate remains a major challenge. Strategies mimicking natural photosynthesis provide a prospective way to convert CO 2 with high efficiency. Herein, several typical strategies are described for constructing biomimetic photoelectric functional interfaces; such interfaces include metal cocatalysts/semiconductors, small molecules/semiconductors, molecular catalysts/semiconductors, MOFs/semiconductors, and microorganisms/semiconductors. The biomimetic PEC interface must have enhanced CO 2 adsorption capacity, preferentially activate CO 2 , and have an efficient conversion ability; with these properties, it can activate C=O bonds effectively and promote electron transfer and C-C coupling to convert CO 2 to single-carbon or multicarbon products. Interfacial electron transfer and proton coupling on the biomimetic PEC interface are also discussed to clarify the mechanism of CO 2 reduction. Finally, the existing challenges and perspectives for biomimetic photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction are presented.

Refractory organic pollutants pose a great threat to natural ecosystems and humans due to their potential biotoxicity. This perspective discusses photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) technology and engineering for the removal of typical toxic refractory organic pollutants in water systems. Specifically, PEC is suitable for treating specific types of water with low concentrations of contaminants and high toxicity. In addition, it can be feasibly combined with other treatment systems. By analyzing the many advantages of PEC, the principles and features of PEC systems, including electro-assisted photocatalysis (EPC) and photoassisted electrocatalysis (PEC) systems, and their synergistic effects have been systematically clarified. In accordance, detailed PEC systems, including adsorption-enhanced PEC, photoelectro-Fenton techniques, selective PEC,and resource recovery, which can simultaneously remove organic pollutants and transform energy via PEC, have been further developed and discussed. In this perspective, the intermediates of PEC oxidation and toxicity studies have also been highlighted. Finally, challenges and perspectives for the development of PEC techniques have been proposed for engineering applications.

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