Light-Driven Heterogeneous Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Photocatalysts and Photoelectrodes

Solar-driven reduction of CO 2 to solar fuels as an alternative to H 2 via water splitting is an intriguing proposition. We model the solar-to-fuel (STF) efficiencies using realistic parameters based on recently reported CO 2 reduction catalysts with a high performance tandem photoabsorber structure. CO and formate, which are both two-electron reduction products, offer STF efficiencies (20.0% and 18.8%) competitively close to that of solar H 2 (21.8%) despite markedly worse reduction catalysis. The slightly lower efficiency toward carbon products is mainly due to electrolyte resistance, not overpotential. Using a cell design where electrolyte resistance is minimized makes formate the preferred product from an efficiency standpoint (reaching 22.7% STF efficiency). On the other hand, going beyond a 2 electron reduction reaction, the more highly reduced products seem unviable with presently available electrocatalysts due to excessive overpotentials and poor selectivity. This work considers breaking up the multielectron reduction pathway into individually optimized, separate twoelectron steps as a way forward.

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“…This rules out many CO2 reduction catalysts, since they either have poor selectivity or current density. 31,32 8…”

Section: Multi-step Electrochemical Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Vesborg

Seger

2016

Chem. Mater.

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“…[1][2][3][4][5] Direct reductiono fC O 2 to its radical anion (CO 2 C À )r equires high energy input [Eq. (1); E 0 = À1.90 Vvs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for CO₂ Reduction: Progress on Higher Efficiency with Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts

Wang

2017

ChemSusChem

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The conversion of CO2 into fuels or value‐added chemicals is currently a field of great research interest. Molecular cobalt catalysts have long been used as mediators of reductive transformations of CO2. In this Minireview, the cobalt complex‐based photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems for CO2 reduction are discussed and summarized, alongside progress on the design of new molecular cobalt catalysts and their performance in photocatalysis.

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“…The photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 into hydrocarbons using solar energy, often referred to as artificial photosynthesis, is believed to be a potential and promising approach to solve both issues. [1][2][3][4][5] Since the reduction of CO 2 by a TiO 2 photocatalyst was reported by Inoue and Fujishima's group, [6] the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 has attracted the attention of many researchers. The key to this process is to develop an efficient photocatalyst that can properly position the valence and conduction bands for the oxidation and reduction half-reactions of water and CO 2 , respectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[12,13] Recently, a series of perovskite type materials of the form ABO 3 (such as BaZrO 3 , [14] BaCeO 3 , [15] SrTiO 3 , [16] etc.) have been studied in the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A perspective on perovskite oxide semiconductor catalysts for gas phase photoreduction of carbon dioxide

Huang

Zou

2016

MRS Communications

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Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into renewable hydrocarbon fuels using solar energy has gained much attention in the effort to conserve energy and enhance carbon cycling. This paper begins with a brief description of the basic concepts of the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 , introduces some experimental challenges in the gas photoreaction system and provides a review of perovskite oxide semiconductor catalysts, including tantalates, niobates, titanates, zirconates and cerates, for use in the gas phase photoreduction of CO 2 . The prospects for the future research of CO 2 photoreduction are also presented.

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Light-Driven Heterogeneous Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Photocatalysts and Photoelectrodes

Cited by 1,415 publications

References 419 publications

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for CO₂ Reduction: Progress on Higher Efficiency with Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts

A perspective on perovskite oxide semiconductor catalysts for gas phase photoreduction of carbon dioxide

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Light-Driven Heterogeneous Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: Photocatalysts and Photoelectrodes

Cited by 1,415 publications

References 419 publications

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for CO2 Reduction: Progress on Higher Efficiency with Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts

A perspective on perovskite oxide semiconductor catalysts for gas phase photoreduction of carbon dioxide

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Performance Limits of Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction Based on Known Electrocatalysts and the Case for Two-Electron Reduction Products

Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for CO₂ Reduction: Progress on Higher Efficiency with Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts