Recent advance in nanostructured materials innovation towards photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Biomimicking natural processes such as plant photosynthesis require in-depth understanding of molecular building blocks enabling these reactions. As such, artificial photosynthesis using bulk photocatalytic materials limits the CO2 conversion efficiency and yield due to both limited surface area and active sites for the reactions. However, with the advent of nanotechnology, nanostructured photocatalysts offer much hope for improved efficiencies of artificial photosynthetic reactions well above that of green plants. In this regard, anthropogenic CO2 conversion to solar fuels and value-added chemicals has emerged as one of the great scientific advances for sustainability in the 21st century. To drive this endeavour, fabrication of novel nanostructured photocatalysts for CO2 reduction to value-added products is of paramount importance. Among the tailorable nanostructured ma-terials include nanoparticles (NPs), nanofibers (NFs), nanotubes (NTs), nanobelts and nanoflowers, over which efficient photocatalysis has been realized progressively. Therefore, this review elucidates the neoteric nano -structures and photocatalysts recently developed for enabling efficient and rapid CO2 reduction in energy and environmental photocatalysis. Finally, future perspectives in terms of scientific opportunities in the field of photocatalytic conversion of CO2 is also covered.

Automated summary

Mimicking natural processes like plant photosynthesis requires a deep understanding of molecular building blocks. Bulk photocatalytic materials used in artificial photosynthesis limit CO2 conversion efficiency and yield. However, nanostructured photocatalysts offer hope for improved efficiencies. CO2 conversion to solar fuels and value-added chemicals is a significant scientific advance. Fabrication of novel nanostructured photocatalysts is crucial for CO2 reduction.