Reversible Switching CuII/CuI Single Sites Catalyze High-rate and Selective CO2 Photoreduction

Herein, we first design a model of reversible redox-switching metal–organic framework single-unit-cell sheets, where the abundant metal single sites benefit for highly selective CO₂ reduction, while the reversible redox-switching metal sites can effectively activate CO₂ molecules. Taking the synthetic Cu-MOF single-unit-cell sheets as an example, synchrotron-radiation quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectra unravel the reversible switching Cu^II/Cu^I single sites initially accept photoexcited electrons and then donate them to CO₂ molecules, which favors the rate-liming activation into CO₂^δ−, verified by in situ FTIR spectra and Gibbs free energy calculations. As an outcome, Cu-MOF single-unit-cell sheets achieve near 100 % selectivity for CO₂ photoreduction to CO with a high rate of 860 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ without any sacrifice reagent or photosensitizer, where both the activity and selectivity outperform previously reported photocatalysts evaluated under similar conditions.     

Copper-Sulfur-Nitrogen Cluster Providing a Local Proton for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Photoreduction

Atomically precise Cu clusters are highly desirable as catalysts for CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), and they provide an appropriate model platform for elaborating their structure–activity relationship. However, an efficient overall photocatalytic CO₂RR with H₂O using assembled Cu-cluster aggregates as single component photocatalyst has not been reported. Herein, we report a stable crystalline Cu−S−N cluster photocatalyst with local protonated N−H groups (denoted as Cu₆−NH ). The catalyst exhibits suitable photocatalytic redox potentials, high structural stability, active catalytic species, and a narrow band gap, which account for its outstanding photocatalytic CO₂RR performance under visible light, with ≈100 % selectivity for CO evolution. Remarkably, systematic isostructural Cu-cluster control experiments, in situ infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations revealed that the protonated pyrimidine N atoms in the Cu₆−NH cluster act as a proton relay station, providing a local proton during the photocatalytic CO₂RR. This efficiently lowers the energy barrier for the formation of the *COOH intermediate, which is the rate-limiting step, efficiently enhancing the photocatalytic performance. This work lays the foundation for the development of atomically precise metal-cluster-based photocatalysts.     

Multiple Heteroatom-Hydrogen Bonds Bridging Electron Transport in Covalent Organic Framework-Based Supramolecular System for Photoreduction of CO2

Supramolecular systems consisting of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and Ni complex are designed for robust photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. Multiple heteroatom-hydrogen bonding between the COF and Ni complex is identified to play a decisive role in the photoexcited electron transfer across the liquid-solid interface. The diminution of steric groups on COF or metal complex can optimize catalytic performance, which is more attributable to the enhanced hydrogen-bond interaction rather than their intrinsic activity. The photosystem with relatively strong strength of hydrogen bonds exhibits remarkable photocatalytic CO₂-to-CO conversion, far superior to photosystems with supported atomic Ni or metal complex alone in the absence of hydrogen-bond effect. Such heteroatom-hydrogen bonds bridging electron transport pathway confers supramolecular system with high photocatalytic performance, providing an avenue to rationally design efficient and steadily available photosystems.     

Boosting CO2 Photoreduction via Regulating Charge Transfer Ability in a One-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework

Two-dimensional (2D) imine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) hold potential for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. However, high energy barrier of imine linkage impede the in-plane photoelectron transfer process, resulting in inadequate efficiency of CO₂ photoreduction. Herein, we present a dimensionality induced local electronic modulation strategy through the construction of one-dimensional (1D) pyrene-based covalent organic frameworks (PyTTA-COF). The dual-chain-like edge architectures of 1D PyTTA-COF enable the stabilization of aromatic backbones, thus reducing energy loss during exciton dissociation and thermal relaxation, which provides energetic photoelectron to traverse the energy barrier of imine linkages. As a result, the 1D PyTTA-COF exhibits significantly enhanced CO₂ photoreduction activity under visible-light irradiation when coordinated with metal cobalt ion, yielding a remarkable CO evolution of 1003 μmol g⁻¹ over an 8-hour period, which surpasses that of the corresponding 2D counterpart by a factor of 59. These findings present a valuable approach to address in-plane charge transfer limitations in imine-based COFs.     

Radiolytic Approach for Efficient,Selective and Catalyst-free CO2 Conversion at Room Temperature

The present study proposes a new approach for direct CO₂ conversion using primary radicals from water irradiation. In order to ensure reduction of CO₂ into CO₂^−. by all the primary radiation-induced water radicals, we use formate ions to scavenge simultaneously the parent oxidizing radicals H^. and OH^. producing the same transient CO₂^−. radicals. Conditions are optimized to obtain the highest conversion yield of CO₂. The goal is achieved under mild conditions of room temperature, neutral pH and 1 atm of CO₂ pressure. All the available radicals are exploited for selectively converting CO₂ into oxalate that is accompanied by H₂ evolution. The mechanism presented accounts for the results and also sheds light on the data in the literature. The radiolytic approach is a mild and scalable route of direct CO₂ capture at the source in industry and the products, oxalate salt and H₂, can be easily separated.     

Efficient CO2 Capture and Photoreduction by Amine‐Functionalized TiO2

Amine‐functionalization of TiO₂ nanoparticles, through a solvothermal approach, substantially increases the affinity of CO₂ on TiO₂ surfaces through chemisorption. This chemisorption allows for more effective activation of CO₂ and charge transfer from excited TiO₂, and significantly enhances the photocatalytic rate of CO₂ reduction into methane and CO.     

Non-Interacting Ni and Fe Dual-Atom Pair Sites in N-Doped Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Concentrating Solar-Driven Photothermal CO2 Reduction

Solar-to-chemical energy conversion under weak solar irradiation is generally difficult to meet the heat demand of CO₂ reduction. Herein, a new concentrated solar-driven photothermal system coupling a dual-metal single-atom catalyst (DSAC) with adjacent Ni−N₄ and Fe−N₄ pair sites is designed for boosting gas-solid CO₂ reduction with H₂O under simulated solar irradiation, even under ambient sunlight. As expected, the (Ni, Fe)−N−C DSAC exhibits a superior photothermal catalytic performance for CO₂ reduction to CO (86.16 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), CH₄ (135.35 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) and CH₃OH (59.81 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), which are equivalent to 1.70-fold, 1.27-fold and 1.23-fold higher than those of the Fe−N−C catalyst, respectively. Based on theoretical simulations, the Fermi level and d-band center of Fe atom is efficiently regulated in non-interacting Ni and Fe dual-atom pair sites with electronic interaction through electron orbital hybridization on (Ni, Fe)−N−C DSAC. Crucially, the distance between adjacent Ni and Fe atoms of the Ni−N−N−Fe configuration means that the additional Ni atom as a new active site contributes to the main *COOH and *HCO₃ dissociation to optimize the corresponding energy barriers in the reaction process, leading to specific dual reaction pathways (COOH and HCO₃ pathways) for solar-driven photothermal CO₂ reduction to initial CO production.     

Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO Mediated by Silver Single Atoms Anchored on Tubular Carbon Nitride

Artificial photosynthesis is a promising strategy for converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into fuels and value-added chemical products. However, photocatalysts usually suffered from low activity and product selectivity due to the sluggish dynamic transfer of photoexcited charge carriers. Herein, we describe anchoring of Ag single atoms on hollow porous polygonal C₃N₄ nanotubes (PCN) to form the photocatalyst Ag₁@PCN with Ag−N₃ coordination for CO₂ photoreduction using H₂O as the reductant. The as-synthesized Ag₁@PCN exhibits a high CO production rate of 0.32 μmol h⁻¹ (mass of catalyst: 2 mg), a high selectivity (>94 %), and an excellent stability in the long term. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) reveal that the strong metal–support interactions (Ag−N₃) favor *CO₂ adsorption, *COOH generation and desorption, and accelerate dynamic transfer of photoexcited charge carriers between C₃N₄ and Ag single atoms, thereby accounting for the enhanced CO₂ photoreduction activity with a high CO selectivity. This work provides a deep insight into the important role of strong metal–support interactions in enhancing the photoactivity and CO selectivity of CO₂ photoreduction.     

Tandem Synergistic Effect of Cu-In Dual Sites Confined on the Edge of Monolayer CuInP2S6 toward Selective Photoreduction of CO2 into Multi-Carbon Solar Fuels

One-unit-cell, single-crystal, hexagonal CuInP₂S₆ atomically thin sheets of≈0.81 nm in thickness was successfully synthesized for photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. Exciting ethene (C₂H₄) as the main product was dominantly generated with the yield-based selectivity reaching ≈56.4 %, and the electron-based selectivity as high as ≈74.6 %. The tandem synergistic effect of charge-enriched Cu−In dual sites confined on the lateral edge of the CuInP₂S₆ monolayer (ML) is mainly responsible for efficient conversion and high selectivity of the C₂H₄ product as the basal surface site of the ML, exposing S atoms, can not derive the CO₂ photoreduction due to the high energy barrier for the proton-coupled electron transfer of CO₂ into *COOH. The marginal In site of the ML preeminently targets CO₂ conversion to *CO under light illumination, and the *CO then migrates to the neighbor Cu sites for the subsequent C−C coupling reaction into C₂H₄ with thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility. Moreover, ultrathin structure of the ML also allows to shorten the transfer distance of charge carriers from the interior onto the surface, thus inhibiting electron-hole recombination and enabling more electrons to survive and accumulate on the exposed active sites for CO₂ reduction.     

Rational Design of Crystalline Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction with H2O

Solar energy‐driven conversion of CO₂ into fuels with H₂O as a sacrificial agent is a challenging research field in photosynthesis. Herein, a series of crystalline porphyrin‐tetrathiafulvalene covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are synthesized and used as photocatalysts for reducing CO₂ with H₂O, in the absence of additional photosensitizer, sacrificial agents, and noble metal co‐catalysts. The effective photogenerated electrons transfer from tetrathiafulvalene to porphyrin by covalent bonding, resulting in the separated electrons and holes, respectively, for CO₂ reduction and H₂O oxidation. By adjusting the band structures of TTCOFs, TTCOF‐Zn achieved the highest photocatalytic CO production of 12.33 μmol with circa 100 % selectivity, along with H₂O oxidation to O₂. Furthermore, DFT calculations combined with a crystal structure model confirmed the structure–function relationship. Our work provides a new sight for designing more efficient artificial crystalline photocatalysts.     

Liquid Fluxional Ga Single Atom Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Precise design and tuning of the micro-atomic structure of single atom catalysts (SACs) can help efficiently adapt complex catalytic systems. Herein, we inventively found that when the active center of the main group element gallium (Ga) is downsized to the atomic level, whose characteristic has significant differences from conventional bulk and rigid Ga catalysts. The Ga SACs with a P, S atomic coordination environment display specific flow properties, showing CO products with FE of ≈92 % at −0.3 V vs. RHE in electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR). Theoretical simulations demonstrate that the adaptive dynamic transition of Ga optimizes the adsorption energy of the *COOH intermediate and renews the active sites in time, leading to excellent CO₂RR selectivity and stability. This liquid single atom catalysts system with dynamic interfaces lays the foundation for future exploration of synthesis and catalysis.     

2D Catalysts for CO2 Photoreduction: Discussing Structure Efficiency Strategies and Prospects for Scaled Production Based on Current Progress

Currently, the excessive consumption of fossil fuels is accompanied by massive emissions of CO₂, leading to severe energy shortages and intensified global warming. It is of great significance to develop and use renewable clean energy while reducing the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Photocatalytic technology is a promising strategy for carbon dioxide conversion. Clearly, the achievement of the above goals largely depends on the design and construction of catalysts. This review is mainly focused on the application of 2D materials for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. The contribution of synthetic strategies to their structure and performance is emphasized. Finally, the current challenges, and prospects of 2D materials for photoreduction of CO₂ with high efficiency, even for practical applications are discussed. It is hoped that this review can provide some guidance for the rational design, controllable synthesis of 2D materials, and their application for efficient photocatalytic CO₂ reduction.     

Regulating Efficient and Selective Single-atom Catalysts for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Anchoring transition metal (TM) atoms on suitable substrates to form single-atom catalysts (SACs) is a novel approach to constructing electrocatalysts. Graphdiyne with sp−sp² hybridized carbon atoms and uniformly distributed pores have been considered as a potential carbon material for supporting metal atoms in a variety of catalytic processes. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the single TM atom anchoring on graphdiyne (TM₁−GDY, TM=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co and Cu) as the catalysts for CO₂ reduction. After anchoring metal atoms on GDY, the catalytic activity of TM₁−GDY (TM=Mn, Co and Cu) for CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) are significantly improved comparing with the pristine GDY. Among the studied TM₁−GDY, Cu₁−GDY shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction for which the product is HCOOH and the limiting potential (U_L) is −0.16 V. Mn₁−GDY and Co₁−GDY exhibit superior catalytic selectivity for CO₂ reduction to CH₄ with U_L of −0.62 and −0.34 V, respectively. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by TM₁−GDY (TM=Mn, Co and Cu) occurs on carbon atoms, while the active sites of CO₂RR are the transition metal atoms . The present work is expected to provide a solid theoretical basis for CO₂ conversion into valuable hydrocarbons.     

A Long‐Lived Mononuclear Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium Complex Grafted onto Anatase TiO2 for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

This work shows a novel artificial donor–catalyst–acceptor triad photosystem based on a mononuclear C₅H₅‐RuH complex oxo‐bridged TiO₂ hybrid for efficient CO₂ photoreduction. An impressive quantum efficiency of 0.56 % for CH₄ under visible‐light irradiation was achieved over the triad photocatalyst, in which TiO₂ and C₅H₅‐RuH serve as the electron collector and CO₂‐reduction site and the photon‐harvester and water‐oxidation site, respectively. The fast electron injection from the excited Ru²⁺ cation to TiO₂ in ca. 0.5 ps and the slow backward charge recombination in half‐life of ca. 9.8 μs result in a long‐lived D⁺–C–A^? charge‐separated state responsible for the solar‐fuel production.     

Prolonging the Triplet State Lifetimes of Rhenium Complexes with Imidazole-Pyridine Framework for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

The photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into fuels offers the prospect for creating a new CO₂ economy. Harnessing visible light-driven CO₂-to-CO reduction mediated by the long-lived triplet excited state of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes is a challenging approach. We here develop a series of new mononuclear rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes ( Re-1 − Re-4 ) based on the imidazole-pyridine skeleton for photo-driven CO₂ reduction. These catalysts are featured by combining pyridyl-imidazole with the aromatic ring and different pendant organic groups onto the N1 position of 1,3-imidazole unit, which display phosphorescence under Ar-saturated solution even at ambient conditions. By contrast, {Re[9-(pyren-1-yl)-10-(pyridin-2-yl)-9H-pyreno[4,5-d]imidazole)](CO)₃Cl} ( Re-4 ) by introducing pyrene ring at the N1 position of pyrene-fused imidazole unit exhibits superior catalytic performance with a higher turnover number for CO (TON_CO=124) and >99.9 % selectivity, primarily ascribed to the strong visible light-harvesting ability, long-lived triplet lifetimes (164.2 μs) and large reductive quenching constant. Moreover, the rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes derived from π-extended pyrene chromophore exhibit a long lifetime corresponding to its ligand-localized triplet state (³IL) evidenced from spectroscopic investigations and DFT calculations.     

Docking Site Modulation of Isostructural Covalent Organic Frameworks for CO2 Fixation

Three isostructural covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with either methoxyl, hydroxyl, or both groups on the channel wall, are synthesized and served as metal-free heterogeneous catalysts for chemical fixation of CO₂. Among them, the COF decorated with both hydroxyl and methoxyl groups named OMe-OH-TPBP-COF exhibits the highest catalytic activity and efficiency for CO₂ cycloaddition under mild conditions.     

光还原催化剂Pt/TiO2富氢条件下CO优先氧化反应

用光还原法来提高富氢条件下CO优先氧化(PROX)催化活性和CO2选择性,分别对有无氢气时CO氧化反应参数进行了详尽研究.X射线光电子能谱(XPS)表征结果显示,在光还原催化剂表面产生了部分氧空穴,可为化学吸附H提供活性中心.针对光还原Pt/TiO2催化剂上CO优先氧化反应提出了一种可能的双功能反应机理.     

Organic Polymer Dots Photocatalyze CO2 Reduction in Aqueous Solution

Developing low-cost and efficient photocatalysts to convert CO₂ into valuable fuels is desirable to realize a carbon-neutral society. In this work, we report that polymer dots (Pdots) of poly[(9,9′-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(1,4-benzo-thiadiazole)] (PFBT), without adding any extra co-catalyst, can photocatalyze reduction of CO₂ into CO in aqueous solution, rendering a CO production rate of 57 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ with a detectable selectivity of up to 100 %. After 5 cycles of CO₂ re-purging experiments, no distinct decline in CO amount and reaction rate was observed, indicating the promising photocatalytic stability of PFBT Pdots in the photocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction. A mechanistic study reveals that photoexcited PFBT Pdots are reduced by sacrificial donor first, then the reduced PFBT Pdots can bind CO₂ and reduce it into CO via their intrinsic active sites. This work highlights the application of organic Pdots for CO₂ reduction in aqueous solution, which therefore provides a strategy to develop highly efficient and environmentally friendly nanoparticulate photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction.