Engineering photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction reactions: Mechanisms, intrinsic kinetics, mass transfer resistances, reactors and multi-scale modelling simulations

One of the more desirable strategies for reducing CO2 emissions and the resulting problem of global warming is to convert CO2 into value-adding chemicals or fuel-based products. This is a challenging task, and reports on photo-catalytic and photo-electrocatalytic technologies can be found in a literature review. Although the successful implementation of these technologies can be difficult, significant progress has been made in recent years, so this review presents the advances in technologies and engineering solutions for photo-catalytic and photo-electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. The mechanisms of adsorption are discussed as well as the photo-reduction of CO2 in aqueous and non-aqueous media together with their catalytic reaction mechanisms and advances in catalyst development for the visible and UV spectrum. In many cases sunlight is considered a sustainable and renewable energy source. One section is dedicated to reactor modelling, intensification and optimization, with modelling of surface reaction mechanisms, surface and photo-reaction kinetics and mass transport phenomena. Overview of improvements in the design of laboratory reactor systems for CO2-conversion engineering to value-added chemicals is also provided and discussed.