Bismuth-Based Photocatalysts for Solar Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion

Recent Advances in Solar-Driven Carbon Dioxide Conversion: Expectations versus Reality

Solar-driven carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion to fuels and high-value chemicals can contribute to the better utilization of renewable energy sources. Photosynthetic (PS), photocatalytic (PC), photoelectrochemical (PEC), and photovoltaic plus electrochemical (PV+EC) approaches are intensively studied strategies. We aimed to compare the performance of these approaches using unified metrics and to highlight representative studies with outstanding performance in a given aspect. Most importantly, a statistical analysis was carried out to compare the differences in activity, selectivity, and durability of the various approaches, and the underlying causes are discussed in detail. Several interesting trends were found: (i) Only the minority of the studies present comprehensive metrics. (ii) The CO₂ reduction products and their relative amount vary across the different approaches. (iii) Only the PV+EC approach is likely to lead to industrial technologies in the midterm future. Last, a brief perspective on new directions is given to stimulate discussion and future research activity.

Synthesis of a novel one-dimensional Bi2O2CO3–BiOCl heterostructure and its enhanced photocatalytic activity

A novel one-dimensional Bi₂O₂CO₃–BiOCl heterostructure was synthesized. BiOCl nanosheets uniformly and vertically grew onto the Bi₂O₂CO₃ porous rods via crystallographic oriented epitaxial nucleation and growth. Bi₂O₂CO₃–BiOCl displayed excellent photocatalytic activity.