Materials Design for Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion to C2+ Products

Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in photocatalytic CO2 conversion from the general public and the scientific community. In theory, this technology can harness abundant solar energy to transform waste CO2 into valuable chemicals, holding the potential to replace certain conventional chemical engineering methods for industrial chemical production in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Despite these promising aspects, the practical application of photocatalytic CO2 conversion has been hampered by its limited activity and selectivity. Numerous efforts have been dedicated to enhancing the activity of photocatalytic CO2 conversion over the past few decades, driving its progress. However, there has been a noticeable shortage of research focused on improving the selectivity of this process, particularly concerning the generation of high-value C2+ products. In this Perspective, our primary objective is to delve into recent developments in photocatalytic CO2 conversion, with a specific emphasis on the production of C2+ products. Our discussion will commence by elucidating the fundamental principles and mechanisms underlying C–C coupling in this reaction. Subsequently, we will provide an overview of the current techniques available for fine-tuning the selectivity of these reactions toward the formation of C2+ products. Finally, we will conclude this perspective by offering insights into the prospects and potential advancements in this field.