Decoupling Strategy for Enhanced Syngas Generation from Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction

Artificial Photosynthesis: Current Advancements and Future Prospects

Artificial photosynthesis is a technology with immense potential that aims to emulate the natural photosynthetic process. The process of natural photosynthesis involves the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, which is stored in organic compounds. Catalysis is an essential aspect of artificial photosynthesis, as it facilitates the reactions that convert solar energy into chemical energy. In this review, we aim to provide an extensive overview of recent developments in the field of artificial photosynthesis by catalysis. We will discuss the various catalyst types used in artificial photosynthesis, including homogeneous catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, and biocatalysts. Additionally, we will explore the different strategies employed to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic reactions, such as the utilization of nanomaterials, photoelectrochemical cells, and molecular engineering. Lastly, we will examine the challenges and opportunities of this technology as well as its potential applications in areas such as renewable energy, carbon capture and utilization, and sustainable agriculture. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of state-of-the-art methods in artificial photosynthesis by catalysis, as well as to identify key research directions for future advancements in this field.

Recent Progress in Interface Engineering of Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Energy Harvesting Applications

With rapid and continuous consumption of nonrenewable energy, solar energy can be utilized to meet the energy requirement and mitigate environmental issues in the future. To attain a sustainable society with an energy mix predominately dependent on solar energy, photoelectrochemical (PEC) device, in which semiconductor nanostructure-based photocatalysts play important roles, is considered to be one of the most promising candidates to realize the sufficient utilization of solar energy in a low-cost, green, and environmentally friendly manner. Interface engineering of semiconductor nanostructures has been qualified in the efficient improvement of PEC performances including three basic steps, i.e., light absorption, charge transfer/separation, and surface catalytic reaction. In this review, recently developed interface engineering of semiconductor nanostructures for direct and high-efficiency conversion of sunlight into available forms (e.g., chemical fuels and electric power) are summarized in terms of their atomic constitution and morphology, electronic structure and promising potential for PEC applications. Extensive efforts toward the development of high-performance PEC applications (e.g., PEC water splitting, PEC photodetection, PEC catalysis, PEC degradation and PEC biosensors) are also presented and appraised. Last but not least, a brief summary and personal insights on the challenges and future directions in the community of next-generation PEC devices are also provided.

Solar utilization beyond photosynthesis

Natural photosynthesis is an efficient biochemical process which converts solar energy into energy-rich carbohydrates. By understanding the key photoelectrochemical processes and mechanisms that underpin natural photosynthesis, advanced solar utilization technologies have been developed that may be used to provide sustainable energy to help address climate change. The processes of light harvesting, catalysis and energy storage in natural photosynthesis have inspired photovoltaics, photoelectrocatalysis and photo-rechargeable battery technologies. In this Review, we describe how advanced solar utilization technologies have drawn inspiration from natural photosynthesis, to find sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by modern society. We summarize the uses of advanced solar utilization technologies, such as converting solar energy to electrical and chemical energy, electrochemical storage and conversion, and associated thermal tandem technologies. Both the foundational mechanisms and typical materials and devices are reported. Finally, potential future solar utilization technologies are presented that may mimic, and even outperform, natural photosynthesis.

Progress and perspectives on 1D nanostructured catalysts applied in photo(electro)catalytic reduction of CO2

Reducing CO₂ into value-added chemicals and fuels by artificial photosynthesis (photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis) is one of the considerable solutions to global environmental and energy issues. One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured catalysts (nanowires, nanorods, nanotubes and so on.) have attracted extensive attention due to their superior light-harvesting ability, co-catalyst loading capacity, and high carrier separation rate. This review analyzed the basic principle of the photo(electro)catalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ RR) briefly. The preparation methods and properties of 1D nanostructured catalysts are introduced. Next, the applications of 1D nanostructured catalysts in the field of photo(electro)catalytic CO₂ RR are introduced in detail. In particular, we introduced the design of composite catalysts with 1D nanostructures, for example loading 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D materials on a 1D nanostructured semiconductor to construct a heterojunction to optimize the photo-response range, carrier separation and transport efficiency, CO₂ adsorption and activation capacity, and stability of the catalyst. Finally, the development prospects of 1D nanostructured catalysts are discussed and summarized. This review can provide guidance for the rational design of advanced catalysts for photo(electro)catalytic CO₂ RR.

Steering the Pathway of Plasmon-Enhanced Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction by Bridging Si and Au Nanoparticles through a TiO2 Interlayer

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion of CO₂ in an aqueous medium into high-energy fuels is a creative strategy for storing solar energy and closing the anthropogenic carbon cycle. However, the rational design of catalytic architectures to selectively and efficiently produce a target product such as CO has remained a grand challenge. Herein, an efficient and selective Si photocathode for CO production is reported by utilizing a TiO₂ interlayer to bridge the Au nanoparticles and n⁺ p-Si. The TiO₂ interlayer can not only effectively protect and passivate Si surface, but can also exhibit outstanding synergies with Au nanoparticles to greatly promote CO₂ reduction kinetics for CO production through stabilizing the key reaction intermediates. Specifically, the TiO₂ layer and Au nanoparticles work concertedly to enhance the separation of localized surface plasmon resonance generated hot carriers, contributing to the improved activity and selectivity for CO production by utilizing the hot electrons generated in Au nanoparticles during PEC CO₂ reduction. The optimized Au/TiO₂ /n⁺ p-Si photocathode exhibits a Faradaic efficiency of 86% and a partial current density of -5.52 mA cm^-2 at -0.8 V_RHE for CO production, which represent state-of-the-art performance in this field. Such a plasmon-enhanced strategy may pave the way for the development of high-performance PEC photocathodes for energy-efficient CO₂ utilization.

Synthetic strategies for MOF-based single-atom catalysts for photo- and electro-catalytic CO2 reduction

The excessive CO₂ emission has resulted in climate changes, which has threatened human existence. Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, driven by wind electricity and solar energy, are feasible ways of tackling carbon dioxide emission, as both energies are clean and renewable. Single-atom catalyst (SAC) is a candidate owing to excellent electrocatalytic and photocatalytic performance. Methods for preparing an SAC by using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as support or precursors are summarized. Also, applications in energy conversion are exhibited. However, the real challenge is to improve the selectivity of catalytic reactions to yield higher value products, which is to be discussed.