Semiconductor‐Based Photoelectrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide: Stepping Towards Artificial Photosynthesis

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical (PEC) carbon dioxide reduction process stands out as a promising avenue for the conversion of solar energy into chemical feedstocks, among various methods available for carbon dioxide mitigation. Semiconductors derived from cheap and abundant elements are interesting candidates for catalysis. Whether employed as intrinsic semiconductors or hybridized with metallic cocatalysts, biocatalysts, and metal molecular complexes, semiconductor photocathodes exhibit good performance and low overpotential during carbon dioxide reduction. Apart from focusing on carbon dioxide reduction materials and chemistry, PEC cells towards standalone devices that use photohybrid electrodes or solar cells have also been a hot topic in recent research. An overview of the state-of-the-art progress in PEC carbon dioxide reduction is presented and a deep understanding of the catalysts of carbon dioxide reduction is also given.

CO2 Reduction of Hybrid Cu2O–Cu/Gas Diffusion Layer Electrodes and their Integration in a Cu‐based Photoelectrocatalytic Cell

“…CV of sample as hows two partially overlapping peaks centered at around0 .05 and 0.23 Vi nt he anodic region related to the oxidation of Cu I to Cu II ,f orming Cu(OH) 2 or CuO, respectively. [60] In the cathodic region, aw eak peak at ap otential around À0.2 Vi so bserved relatedt oC uO reduction to Cu along with the main peak at around À0.8 Vr elatedt ot he conversion of Cu(OH) 2 and Cu 2 O. [36,[60][61][62] At lower voltage than À1.0 Vs tarts H 2 evolution.…”

“…The development of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) solar cells for the reduction of CO 2 is an area of fast‐growing interest, although often attention is just focused on the electrocatalysts/electrode aspects. However, cell design (which should meet important aspects for practical application, such as a compact design easy to scale‐up, continuous flow operations, easy recovery of the reaction products and low costs of productions) is often determining the choice of the electrode materials and their characteristics . Therefore, it is crucial that the development of the electrodes is made taking into consideration above aspects.…”

“…The development of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) solar cells for the reduction of CO 2 is an area of fast-growing interest, althougho ften attentioni sj ust focusedo nt he electrocatalysts/ electrode aspects.H owever,c ell design (which shouldm eet important aspects for practical application,s uch as ac ompact design easy to scale-up, continuous flow operations, easy recovery of the reaction products and low costs of productions) is often determining the choice of the electrode materialsa nd their characteristics. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Therefore, it is crucial that the development of the electrodes is made taking into consideration above aspects.A mong these aspects, the development of PEC electrodes not containing critical raw materials is ar elevant aspect to implement. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The aim of this work is thus to develop electrodes based on low-costa nd non-critical raw materials and test them in aP EC compact-design cell having above characteristics.…”

Constructing Ordered Three‐Dimensional TiO2 Channels for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Performance in CO2 Conversion Induced by Au Nanoparticles

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Normally, CO 2 ,a sa no xidized form of carbon, is very stable and difficult to activate for the reduction process. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Normally, CO 2 ,a sa no xidized form of carbon, is very stable and difficult to activate for the reduction process.…”

“…Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction has attracted increasing research attention due to its tremendous potential to solve environmental and energy crises by providing a renewable approach for the production of valuable hydrocarbon compounds . Normally, CO 2 , as an oxidized form of carbon, is very stable and difficult to activate for the reduction process .…”