Engineering TiO2 nanomaterials for CO2 conversion/solar fuels

Global warming and fuel crisis have attracted attention to using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a feedstock for preparing value-added compounds. Of particular interest in this context, we aim to review current knowledge of photocatalytic conversion of CO2 towards solar fuels over titanium dioxide (TiO2) from nanoengineering point of view. The basic principle of photocatalytic synthesis is briefly described, and then engineering design of the TiO2 photocatalysts is emphasized with respect to reaction parameters. The links between photocatalytic properties of nanostructured TiO2 and CO2 conversion by using solar energy are addressed. Meanwhile, rationally orienting nanostructured TiO2 in chemical reactors for CO2 conversion and its prospects are highlighted for further development. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.