Heterostructured Catalysts for Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Abstract

Heterostructured catalysts are hybrid materials that contain interfaces between their constituents formed through combinations of multiple solid‐state materials. The presence of multiple constituents institutes a synergistic effect that endows the catalyst with superior performance and appreciable potential in a diverse range of catalytic applications, including electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide. These promising catalysts can support a feasible method for large‐scale processing of valuable carbonaceous feedstock or fuel generation and alleviation of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Such technologies will serve as the much‐needed remedy for the global energy and environmental crisis. A broad spectrum of recently developed heterostructured catalysts pertaining to electrocatalytic and photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction is evaluated. The insights included are of relevance to refresh fundamentals pertaining to the electron transfer processes leading to carbon dioxide reduction and the mechanistic reduction pathways yielding a possible multitude of carbonaceous products. Detailed discussions provide a rational understanding of how the hybrid and resultant properties from various combinations are useful in enhancing catalytic function. Lastly, the performance profiles of various catalyst structures together with modification strategies employed are of interest to highlight the current challenges to and directions for future catalyst development.

Carbon Dioxide Conversion with High-Performance Photocatalysis into Methanol on NiSe2/WSe2

“…Therefore, the enhancement of the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 reaction can start from the enhancement of carbon dioxide adsorption. In previous studies, a TiO 2 -based heterostructured photocatalyst and g-C 3 N 4 -based heterostructured photocatalyst were also applied to reduce CO 2 to produce CH 3 OH [24]. Yang et al [25], Liang et al [26], and Bafaqeer et al [27] use g-C 3 N 4 /CdS, g-C 3 N 4 /ZnO, ZnV 2 O 6 /pCN as photocatalytic materials, and the methanol yields were 1352.07 umol g −1 , 0.6mmol g −1 h −1 , and 3742.19 umol gcat −1 , respectively.…”

Recent Advances in 1D Electrospun Nanocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…[ 11 ] iii) The conventional 3D catalysts have the disadvantages of complex synthesis method and difficult structure regulation. [ 12,13 ] Different from the mentioned typical categories, 1D nanofiber and nanotube catalysts gradually attracted the interest of scientists, due to the advantages of large surface area, high aspect ratio, and the electron to transfer along one controllable direction. [ 11,14,15 ]…”

Recent progress in Bi2WO6‐Based photocatalysts for clean energy and environmental remediation: Competitiveness, challenges, and future perspectives

“…[ 1 ] Since the discovery of the Fujishima and Honda effect in 1972, semiconductors photocatalysis has been greatly studied in academics and industry. [ 2,3 ] This technology can realize what human beings urgently desire, such as water splitting, [ 4–11 ] pollutant degradation, [ 12–17 ] CO 2 reduction, [ 18–25 ] and the selective synthesis of organic compounds. [ 26–29 ] Nevertheless, the following obstacles limit the practical application of semiconductor photocatalytic technology: (I) poor visible light absorption, (II) difficulty in separation of photogenerated carriers, and (III) unsatisfactory energy utilization efficiency.…”

“…[ 30,40 ] Importantly, it has promoted photocatalytic applications because of its low cost, nontoxicity, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. [ 3–28 ]…”