Research Progress in Semiconductor Materials with Application in the Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2

Abstract

The large-scale burning of non-renewable fossil fuels leads to the gradual increase of the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, which is associated with negative impacts on the environment. The consequent need to reduce the emission of CO2 resulting from fossil fuel combustion has led to a serious energy crisis. Research reports indicate that the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is one of the most effective methods to control CO2 pollution. Therefore, the development of novel high-efficiency semiconductor materials has become an important research field. Semiconductor materials need to have a structure with abundant catalytic sites, among other conditions, which is of great significance for the practical application of highly active catalysts for CO2 reduction. This review systematically describes various types of semiconductor materials, as well as adjustments to the physical, chemical and electronic characteristics of semiconductor catalysts to improve the performance of photocatalytic reduction of CO2. The principle of photocatalytic CO2 reduction is also provided in this review. The reaction types and conditions of photocatalytic CO2 reduction are further discussed. We believe that this review will provide a good basis and reference point for future design and development in this field.

Multifunctional Roles of Clathrate Hydrate Nanoreactors for CO2 Reduction

“…This scenario is in sharp contrast to that in aqueous CO 2 solution where e À pre is easy to find a H-bond network defect to trap as that in the bulk water [69] before binding with CO 2 , while the formation of CO 2 À is not always successful due to a small barrier originating from the bending of hydrated CO 2 . [66] Besides, also unlike the activation of CO 2 in the electrochemical or photocatalytic processes in which the transfer of reducing electron to CO 2 is realized by direct interaction between CO 2 and the electrode/substrate/ catalyst surface active sites, [70][71][72] CO 2 can acquire one electron directly from the CH conduction band state due to the confinement effect originating from the cage structures in CHs. As such, this CO 2 remains tightly bound in the center of the 5 12 cage and does not need to contact with the cage wall.…”

Theoretical Investigation of the BCN Monolayer and Their Derivatives for Metal-free CO2 Photocatalysis, Capture, and Utilization

“…14−16 Thus, there is a need for further studies in this field. 17 Many materials have been developed to adsorb CO 2 and act as a photocatalyst, thereby enabling the chemically inert gas to undergo chemical reactions. 18−20 Since Geim et al successfully isolated the monolayer graphene in 2004 and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for this discovery, two-dimensional (2D) materials have been widely researched both theoretically and experimentally, including their usage as CRR photocatalysts.…”

“…Recent research focusing on finding suitable photocatalysts and understanding the CRR mechanism indicates that photocatalytic CRR is one of the most effective methods for managing the CO 2 levels. Similarly, photocatalysts were designed to degrade other harmful atmospheric gases, such as NO x and organic pollutants, under accessible conditions. − Thus, there is a need for further studies in this field …”

Application of a Mixed-Ligand Metal–Organic Framework in Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction, Antibacterial Activity and Dye Adsorption

“…Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous and have a large specific surface area, which allows for the introduction of visible-light-responsive ligands and tunable metal sites in their synthesis, and enables MOFs to be used as photocatalyst materials for the photoreduction of carbon monoxide [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In photocatalytic reaction, MOFs play a similar role to traditional semiconductors, but multiple sites such as organic ligands and metal clusters in MOFs can cooperate to enhance the reaction [ 9 , 10 ]. Han and workers synthesized a series of composites.…”