Engineering 2D Photocatalysts toward Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Abstract As a way to drive chemical reactions by renewable solar energy, photocatalytic technology is an appealing strategy for carbon recycle and value‐added CO 2 utilization mimicking the natural photosynthetic system to remedy energy and environmental problems. During the recent decades of exploration, extensive research has been reported on 2D nanomaterials in photocatalytic CO 2 reduction because of their unique structural properties. This review highlights the ongoing development of modification strategies for 2D nanomaterials from the viewpoints of defect engineering, surface modification, and hybrid construction, following the sequence of inside‐to‐outside design of the photocatalysts. These methodologies can expand the scope of light absorption, promote the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhance the adsorption and activation of CO 2 , thus effectively improve the photocatalytic efficiency. The future challenges and opportunities for developing modified 2D photocatalysts are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can provide useful guidelines toward further research on 2D nanocatalysis for CO 2 photocatalytic conversion.