Requirements for efficient metal oxide photocatalysts for CO2 reduction

Abstract

As a means to reduce carbon emissions and to produce renewable fuels, the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 has received worldwide attention. Much research has already been carried out, in which most of the studied materials were oxide based. However, the achievable yields of valuable products such as methane, methanol, or carbon monoxide are still far too low for large-scale industrial application. This chapter gives an overview of known materials for CO2 reduction and provides the reader with information on general principles of photocatalysis. Possible reaction mechanisms are reviewed, and general characteristics of some frequently studied oxide materials are described. Such detailed information can provide a basis for the knowledge-guided design of better oxide-based photocatalyst materials for CO2 reduction.