Artificial CO2 photoreduction: a review of photocatalyst design and product selectivity regulation

Mimicking the natural photosynthesis, artificial photosynthesis of CO2 reduction into valuable hydrocarbon fuels is a promising approach to solar energy utilizatio and carbon neutrality. However, great challenges are present in the development of an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 reduction and the controlling of the selectivity of reduction products. This review summarizes the progress of photocatalyst design strategies to improve the efficiency and selectivity of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Six popular modification methods are introduced, such as defect structure, cocatalst loading, doping heterojunction formation, single atom engineering, and surface organometallics catalysis. The effects of different strategies on the promotion of light absorption, charge separation and migration and catalyst surface reaction in the process of O2 reduction are analyzed. In addition, the latest research results of selective reduction to C1, C2, and C2+ in CO2 and H2O systems are summarized. Finally, the article delves into the future prospects and inherent hurdles in photocatalyst design with a focus on enhancing the selectivity of CO2 conversion towards specific products. This review provides an insight of the efficiency and selectivity in photocatalytic CO2 reduction across various photocatalysts, thereby serving as a a valuable guidance for the advancement of high-performance photocatalyst.