Recent Advances in TiO₂-Based Photocatalysts for Reduction of CO₂ to Fuels

• Main Authors: Thang Phan Nguyen, Dang Le Tri Nguyen, Van-Huy Nguyen, Thu-Ha Le, Dai-Viet N. Vo, Quang Thang Trinh, Sa-Rang Bae, Sang Youn Chae, Soo Young Kim, Quyet Van Le
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: photocatalysis; carbon dioxide reduction; tio₂-based photocatalysts; high efficiency
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/10/2/337

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has attracted increasing attention as a candidate for the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to convert anthropogenic CO₂ gas into fuels combined with storage of intermittent and renewable solar energy in forms of chemical bonds for closing the carbon cycle. However, pristine TiO₂ possesses a large band gap (3.2 eV), fast recombination of electrons and holes, and low selectivity for the photoreduction of CO₂. Recently, considerable progress has been made in the improvement of the performance of TiO₂ photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction. In this review, we first discuss the fundamentals of and challenges in CO₂ photoreduction on TiO₂-based catalysts. Next, the recently emerging progress and advances in TiO₂ nanostructured and hybrid materials for overcoming the mentioned obstacles to achieve high light-harvesting capability, improved adsorption and activation of CO₂, excellent photocatalytic activity, the ability to impede the recombination of electrons-holes pairs, and efficient suppression of hydrogen evolution are discussed. In addition, approaches and strategies for improvements in TiO₂-based photocatalysts and their working mechanisms are thoroughly summarized and analyzed. Lastly, the current challenges and prospects of CO₂ photocatalytic reactions on TiO₂-based catalysts are also presented.