Non-noble metal-based cocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Cocatalysts loading is an effective strategy to boost photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The cocatalysts based on non-noble metal compounds have an obvious advantage in balancing the cost and efficiency in the scale-up application. The anions in non-noble metal cocatalysts have a distinctive influence on the photocatalytic CO2RR. This review focuses on the impact of different anions in non-noble metal compounds, including oxide-, sulphide-, phosphide-, carbide- and nitride-based cocatalysts. These materials have been demonstrated to improve the charge carrier separation, light harvesting, CO2 adsorption ability and act as active sites for reduction reactions. The recent progresses of non-noble metal-based cocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2RR, together with possible challenges and opportunities have been discussed.