Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Using TiO2-Based Photocatalysts and TiO2 Z-Scheme Heterojunction Composites: A Review

Abstract

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is a most promising technique to capture CO2 and reduce it to non-fossil fuel and other valuable compounds. Today, we are facing serious environmental issues due to the usage of excessive amounts of non-renewable energy resources. In this aspect, photocatalytic CO2 reduction will provide us with energy-enriched compounds and help to keep our environment clean and healthy. For this purpose, various photocatalysts have been designed to obtain selective products and improve efficiency of the system. Semiconductor materials have received great attention and have showed good performances for CO2 reduction. Titanium dioxide has been widely explored as a photocatalyst for CO2 reduction among the semiconductors due to its suitable electronic/optical properties, availability at low cost, thermal stability, low toxicity, and high photoactivity. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, the artificial Z-scheme of photocatalyst is constructed to provide an easy method to enhance efficiency of CO2 reduction. This review covers literature in this field, particularly the studies about the photocatalytic system, TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction composites, and use of transition metals for CO2 photoreduction. Lastly, challenges and opportunities are described to open a new era in engineering and attain good performances with semiconductor materials for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Catalytic heterostructured materials for CO2 mitigation and conversion into fuels: a renewable energy approach towards a sustainable environment

“…Methane selectivity with improved activity by the formation of heterojunctions has been ascribed to extended light absorption, increased CO 2 adsorption and efficient separation and transfer of light induced carriers. 132 All the TiO 2 based Z-scheme heterojunction composites for photocatalytic CRR have been summarized by Rehman et al 138 However, the formation of heterojunctions is sometimes controlled by the exposed facet. This has been observed in a first principles calculation DFT study, where the (001) and (101) facets were found to be favourable for formation of the heterojunction.…”

Green Synthesis of TiO2 Using Impatiens rothii Hook.f. Leaf Extract for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue Dye

“…24,25 In general, TiO 2 is considered as an ecologically friendly and has been used in various industrial applications including gas sensors, 26 corrosion protection, 27 white pigment, 28 dye-sensitized solar cells, 29 remediation of the environment, 30 hydrogen gas production, 31 providing high dielectric constant and high electrical resistance, 32 and reduction of carbon dioxide. 33 Titanium dioxide NPs can be synthesized using a variety of methods, including sol−gel, sono-chemical, microwave-assisted, 34 deposition, hydro/solvothermal, and oxidation methods. 30,35 Biosynthesis of titanium dioxide NPs has gained wide attention among scholars due to its cost-effective, eco-friendly, and reproducible method.…”

A highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic fuel cell with ZnIn2S4/PANI/TiO2/Ti photoanode for simultaneous degradation of rhodamine B and electricity generation

“…8 TiO 2 is an extensively studied n-type semiconductor with excellent photocatalytic activity and chemical stability. [9][10][11] In earlier research on PFC, TiO 2 was loaded on the FTO glass as a photoanode by the blade coating method or the solgel method to construct a film electrode, which had outstanding photoelectric conversion efficiency and cycle stability. 12 However, the application of pure TiO 2 is severely restricted by its low quantum efficiency and narrow light absorption range.…”