Crystalline Carbon Nitride Supported Copper Single Atoms for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction with Nearly 100% CO Selectivity

Na-mediated carbon nitride realizing CO2 photoreduction with selectivity modulation

The depressed directional separation of photogenerated carriers and weak CO2 adsorption/activation activity are the main factors hampering the development of artificial photosynthesis. Herein, Na ions are embedded in graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to achieve directional migration of the photogenerated electrons to Na sites, while the electron-rich Na sites enhance CO2 adsorption and activation. Na/g-C3N4 (NaCN) shows improved photocatalytic reduction activity of CO2 to CO and CH4, and under simulated sunlight irradiation, the CO yield of NaCN synthesized by embedding Na at 550°C (NaCN-550) is 371.2 μmol g-1 h-1, which is 58.9 times more than that of the monomer g-C3N4. By means of theoretical calculations and experiments including in situ fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the mechanism is investigated. This strategy which improves carrier separation and reduces the energy barrier at the same time is important to the development of artificial photosynthesis.

Atomistic understanding of enhanced selectivity in photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using graphitic carbon nitride loaded with single copper atoms

The loading of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) with transition metals has received significant attention for efficient light-driven catalysis. However, the contribution of the loaded metals to enhanced performance remains unclear. In this study, Cu is loaded onto gCN to understand how photocatalytic activity is regulated by the loaded metals. Loading gCN with 3 wt% of Cu increases the electron population by 8.1 and 4.6 times under UV (λ < 370 nm) and visible light (390 < λ < 740 nm), respectively. This sample shows nearly 100% selectivity for oxidizing benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and a high yield-to-power ratio, reaching 0.35 mmol g-1 h-1 W-1. The loaded Cu species exist as single atoms with a +1-oxidation state. Each Cu+ cation is coordinated to two (at 3 wt% Cu) or four (at 6 wt% Cu) N atoms within the cavity of the gCN framework. Doubling the Cu loading results in a smaller electron population and coordinatively more saturated Cu+ cations, making it catalytically less reactive. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show that Cu+ cations produce filled mid-gap states above the valence band, which function as hole traps and hence oxidation centers. The Cu+ cation and the neighboring N atoms are electron-depletion and electron-accumulation sites due to Cu → N electron transfer, making it highly reactive for oxidative transformations via the hole transfer pathway. The role of Cu as a hole-transfer site updates the received understanding that surface-loaded Cu serves as an electron-accumulation site. A strong correlation is observed between the electron population at steady-state and the product yield, indicating that it could serve as a promising performance indicator for the design of future photocatalysts.

Outstanding CO2 Photoreduction in Single-Atom Thulium Modified Carbon Nitride

CO2 reduction photocatalysts are favorable for obtaining renewable energy. Enriched active sites and effective photogenerated-carriers separation are keys for improving CO2 photo-reduction. A thulium (Tm) single atom tailoring strategy introducing carbon vacancies in porous tubular graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) surpassing the ever-reported g-C3N4 based photocatalysts, with 199.47 µmol g-1 h-1 CO yield, 96.8% CO selectivity, 0.84% apparent quantum efficiency and excellent photocatalytic stability, is implemented in this work. Results revealed that in-plane Tm sites and interlayer-bridged Tm-N charge transfer channels significantly enhanced the aggregation/transfer of photogenerated electrons thus promoting CO2 adsorption/activation and contributing to *COOH intermediates formation. Meanwhile, Tm atoms and carbon vacancies both benefit for rich active sites and enhanced photogenerated-charge separation, thus optimizing reaction pathway and leading to excellent CO2 photo-reduction. This work not only provides guidelines for CO2 photo-reduction catalysts design but also offers mechanistic insights into single-atom based photocatalysts for solar fuel production.

Cocreation of photogenerated electron and hole collectors on polymeric carbon nitride synergistically promotes carrier separation and reaction kinetics towards propelling photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

It is a challenging issue for the creation of photogenerated carrier collectors on the photocatalyst to drive charge separation and promote reaction kinetics in the photocatalytic reaction. Herein, based on one-step dual-modulation strategy, IrO2 nanodots are modified at the edge of polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) nanosheets and atomically dispersed Ir atoms are implanted in the skeleton of PCN to obtain a unique Ir-PCN/IrO2 photocatalyst. IrO2 nanodots and atomically dispersed Ir atoms act as hole and electron collectors to synergistically promote the carrier separation and reaction kinetics, respectively, thereby greatly improving the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) performance. As a result, without adding additional cocatalyst, the PHE rate over the optimal Ir-PCN/IrO2-2% sample reaches up to 1564.4 μmol h-1 g-1 under the visible light irradiation, with achieving an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 15.7% at 420 nm.

Recent Advances and Challenges in Efficient Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Methanation

Solar-driven carbon dioxide (CO2) methanation holds significant research value in the context of carbon emission reduction and energy crisis. However, this eight-electron catalytic reaction presents substantial challenges in catalytic activity and selectivity. In this regard, researchers have conducted extensive exploration and achieved significant developments. This review provides an overview of the recent advances and challenges in efficient selective photocatalytic CO2 methanation. It begins by discussing the fundamental principles and challenges in detail, analyzing strategies for improving the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 conversion to CH4 comprehensively. Subsequently, it outlines the recent applications and advanced characterization methods for photocatalytic CO2 methanation. Finally, this review highlights the prospects and opportunities in this area, aiming to inspire CO2 conversion into high-value CH4 and shed light on the research of catalytic mechanisms.

Boosting Solar-Driven CO2 Conversion to Ethanol via Single-Atom Catalyst with Defected Low-Coordination Cu-N2 Motif

Cu-based catalysts have been shown to selectively catalyze CO2 photoreduction to C2+ solar fuels. However, they still suffer from poor activity and low selectivity. Herein, we report a high-performance carbon nitride supported Cu single-atom catalyst featuring defected low-coordination Cu-N2 motif (Cu-N2-V). Lead many recently reported photocatalysts and its Cu-N3 and Cu-N4 counterparts, Cu-N2-V exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to ethanol and delivers 69.8 μmol g-1 h-1 ethanol production rate, 97.8 % electron-based ethanol selectivity, and a yield of ~10 times higher than Cu-N3 and Cu-N4. Revealed by the extensive experimental investigation combined with DFT calculations, the superior photoactivity of Cu-N2-V stems from its defected Cu-N2 configuration, in which the Cu sites are electron enriched and enhance electron delocalization. Importantly, Cu in Cu-N2-V exist in both Cu+ and Cu2+ valence states, although predominantly as Cu+. The Cu+ sites support the CO2 activation, while the co-existence of Cu+/Cu2+ sites are highly conducive for strong *CO adsorption and subsequent *CO-*CO dimerization enabling C-C coupling. Furthermore, the hollow microstructure of the catalyst also promotes light adsorption and charge separation efficiency. Collectively, these make Cu-N2-V an effective and high-performance catalyst for the solar-driven CO2 conversion to ethanol. This study also elucidates the C-C coupling reaction path via *CO-*CO to *COCOH and rate-determining step, and reveals the valence state change of partial Cu species from Cu+ to Cu2+ in Cu-N2-V during CO2 photoreduction reaction.

Modulating the Moderate d-Band Center of Indium in InVO4 Nanobelts by Synergizing MnOx and Oxygen Vacancies for High-Efficiency CO2 Photoreduction

Modulating the electronic properties of transition metal sites in photocatalysts at the atomic level is essential for achieving high-activity carbon dioxide photoreduction (CO2PR). An electronic strategy is herein proposed to engineer In-d-band center of InVO4 by incorporating MnOx nanoparticles and oxygen vacancies (VO) into holey InVO4 nanobelts (MnOx/VO-InVO4), which synergistically modulates the In-d-band center to a moderate level and consequently leads to high-efficiency CO2PR. The MnOx/VO-InVO4 catalyst with optimized electronic property exhibits a single carbon evolution rate of up to 145.3 µmol g-1 h-1 and a carbon monoxide (CO) product selectivity of 92.6%, coming out in front of reported InVO4-based materials. It is discovered that the modulated electronic property favors the interaction between the In sites and their intermediates, which thereby improves the thermodynamics and kinetics of the CO2PR-to-CO reaction. This work not only demonstrates the effective engineering of the d orbital of the low-coordination In atoms to promote CO2PR, but also paves the way for the application of tuning d-band center to develop high-efficiency catalysts.

Strong support effect induced by MXene for the synthesis of metal sulfides nanosheet arrays with sulfur vacancies towards selective CO2-to-CO photoreduction

Selective CO2-to-CO photoreduction is under intensive research and requires photocatalysts with tuned microstructures to accelerate the reaction kinetics. Here, we report CuInS2 nanosheet arrays with sulfur vacancies (VS) grown on the two-dimensional (2D) support of Ti3C2Tx MXene for CO2-to-CO photoreduction. Our results reveal that the use of Ti3C2Tx induces strong support effect, which causes the hierarchical nanosheet arrays growth of CuInS2 and simultaneously leads to charge transfer from CuInS2 to Ti3C2Tx support, resulting in VS formed in CuInS2. The strong support effect based on Ti3C2Tx is proven to be applicable to prepare a series of different metal indium sulfide arrays with VS. CuInS2 nanosheet arrays with VS supported on Ti3C2Tx benefit the photocatalytic selective reduction of CO2 to CO, manifesting a remarkable over 14.8-fold activity enhancement compared with pure CuInS2. The experimental and computational investigations pinpoint that VS of CuInS2 resulting from the support effect of Ti3C2Tx lowers the barrier of the rate-limiting step of *COOH → *OH + *CO, which is the key to the photoactivity enhancement. This work demonstrates MXene support effects and offers an effective approach to regulate the atomic microstructure of metal sulfides toward enhancing photocatalytic performance.

Construction of an In2O3/Bi2S3 Z-Scheme Heterojunction for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbon fuel is a potential strategy to solve energy shortage and mitigate the greenhouse effect. Here, direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts (In2O3/Bi2S3) without an electron mediator are prepared by a simple hydrolysis method. The In2O3/Bi2S3 composite photocatalysts show greatly boosted photoactivity on CO2 conversion to CO compared with the pristine In2O3 and Bi2S3. The highest CO evolution rate of 2.67 μmol·g-1·h-1 is achieved by In2O3/Bi2S3-3, without any sacrificial agent or cocatalyst, which is about 3.87 times that of In2O3 (0.69 μmol·g-1·h-1). The boosted photocatalytic performance of In2O3/Bi2S3 composite catalysts can be ascribed to the establishment of a Z-scheme heterojunction, improving the photoabsorption and facilitating charge separation and transfer. This study provides a reference for designing and fabricating high-efficiency Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Construction of Au-modified CN-based donor-acceptor system coupled with dual photothermal effects for efficient photoreduction of carbon dioxide

Conversion of CO2 into high value-added fuels through the photothermal effect is an effective approach for utilizing solar energy. In this study, we prepared the CN-based photocatalyst Py-CTN-Au with both donor-acceptor (D-A) system and dual photothermal effects using a simple two-step method involving calcination and photo-deposition. Real-time monitoring with a thermal imaging camera revealed that Py-CTN-Au0.5 achieved a maximum stable temperature of 180 °C, which was approximately 1.2 times higher than that of Py-CTN (155 °C) and 1.9 times higher than that of g-CN (95 °C) under the same reaction conditions. Under the optimized reaction conditions, Py-CTN-Au0.5 exhibited a CO release rate of 30.59 umol g-1 after 4 h of reaction, which was 7.3 times higher than that of pure g-CN (4.18 umol g-1). The D-A system not only facilitated the separation and transformation of charge carriers but also induced a photothermal effect to accelerate the photoreduction of CO2. Additionally, the cocatalyst Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) further enhanced the charge carrier dynamics and photothermal effect by increasing the built-in electric field intensity and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, respectively. The dual photothermal effects resulting from the non-radiative photon conversion of the D-A structure and the Au NPs LSPR effect, along with the enhanced charge carrier dynamics, catalyzed the efficient photoreduction of CO2. DFT simulations were used to confirm the effect of D-A system and Au NPs. In-situ FTIR results demonstrated that the synergistic photothermal effect promoted the formation of the key intermediate species COOH*, which is beneficial for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. This study provides valuable insights into the multiple photothermal synergistic effects in photocatalytic reactions.

Metal Poly(heptazine imides) as Multifunctional Photocatalysts for Solar Fuel Production

Solar-driven photocatalysis employing particulate semiconductors represents a promising approach for sustainable production of valuable chemical feedstock. Metal poly(heptazine imide) (MPHI), a novel 2D ionic carbon nitride, has been recognized as an emerging photocatalyst with distinctive properties. In this minireview, we first delineate the forefront innovations of MPHI photocatalysts, spanning from synthetic strategies and solving structures to the exploration of novel properties. We place special emphasis on the structural design principles aimed at developing high-performance MPHI systems toward photocatalytic solar fuel production such as H2 evolution, H2O oxidation, H2O2 production and CO2 reduction. Finally, we discuss crucial insights and challenges in leveraging highly active MPHIs for efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion.

CO2 Photoreduction over Semiconducting 2D Materials with Supported Single Atoms: Recent Progress and Challenges

In the face of the growing energy crisis and environmental challenges, substantial efforts are now directed toward sustainable clean energy as a replacement for traditional fossil fuels. CO2 photoreduction into value-added chemicals and fuels is widely recognized as a promising approach to mitigate current energy and environmental concerns. Photocatalysts comprising single atoms (SAs) supported on two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting materials (SAs-2DSemi) have emerged as a novel frontier due to the combined merits of SA catalysts and 2D materials. In this study, we review advancements in metal SAs confined on 2DSemi substrates, categorized into four groups: (1) metal oxide-based, (2) g-C3N4-based, (3) emerging, and (4) hybridized 2DSemi, for photocatalytic CO2 conversion over the past few years. With a particular focus on highlighting the distinct advantages of SAs-2DSemi, we delve into the synthesis of state-of-the-art catalysts, their catalytic performances, and mechanistic elucidation facilitated by experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations. Following this, we outline the challenges in this field and offer perspectives on harnessing the potential of SAs-2DSemi as promising photocatalysts. This comprehensive review aims to provide valuable insights for the future development of 2D photocatalytic materials involving SAs for CO2 reduction.

A Solar to Chemical Strategy: Green Hydrogen as a Means, Not an End

Green hydrogen is the key to the chemical industry achieving net zero emissions. The chemical industry is responsible for almost 2% of all CO2 emissions, with half of it coming from the production of simple commodity chemicals, such as NH3, H2O2, methanol, and aniline. Despite electrolysis driven by renewable power sources emerging as the most promising way to supply all the green hydrogen required in the production chain of these chemicals, in this review, it is worth noting that the photocatalytic route may be underestimated and can hold a bright future for this topic. In fact, the production of H2 by photocatalysis still faces important challenges in terms of activity, engineering, and economic feasibility. However, photocatalytic systems can be tailored to directly convert sunlight and water (or other renewable proton sources) directly into chemicals, enabling a solar-to-chemical strategy. Here, a series of recent examples are presented, demonstrating that photocatalysis can be successfully employed to produce the most important commodity chemicals, especially on NH3, H2O2, and chemicals produced by reduction reactions. The replacement of fossil-derived H2 in the synthesis of these chemicals can be disruptive, essentially safeguarding the transition of the chemical industry to a low-carbon economy.

High-efficiency photocatalytic CO2 reduction enabled by interfacial Ov and isolated Ti3+ of g-C3N4/TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction

Exploring the real force that drives the separation of Coulomb-bound electron-hole pairs in the interface of heterojunction photocatalysts can establish a clear mechanism for efficient solar energy conversion efficiency. Herein, the formation of oxygen vacancy (Ov) and isolated Ti3+ was precisely regulated at the interface of g-C3N4/TiO2 Z-scheme heterojunction (g-C3N4/Ov-Ti3+-TiO2) by optimizing the opening degree of the calcination system, showing excellent production rate of CO and CH4 from CO2 photoreduction under visible light. This photocatalytic system also exhibited prominent stability. Combining theoretical calculation and characterization, the introduction of Ov and isolated Ti3+ on the interface could construct a charge transfer channel to break the forbidden transition of n → π*, improving the separation process of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. The photoexcited electrons weakened the covalent interaction of CO bonds to promote the activation of adsorbed inert CO2 molecules, significantly reducing the energy barrier of the rate-limiting step during CO2 reduction. This work demonstrates the great application potential of reasonably regulating heterojunction interface for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

g-C3N4-Based Photocatalytic Materials for Converting CO2 Into Energy: A Review

Environmental pollution management and renewable energy development are humanity's biggest issues in the 21st century. The rise in atmospheric CO2, which has surpassed 400 parts per million, has stimulated research on CO2 reduction and conversion methods. Presently, photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to valuable hydrocarbons enables the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy and offers a novel avenue for energy conversion while regulating the greenhouse effect. This is an ideal strategy for simultaneously addressing environmental issues and the energy crisis. Photocatalysts are essential to photocatalytic processes. Photocatalyst is the core of photocatalytic technology, and graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted much attention because of its nonmetallic characteristics, and it has the characteristics of low cost, tunable electronic structure, easy manufacture and strong reducibility. However, its activity is not only affected by external reaction conditions, but also by the band gap structure, physical and chemical stability, surface morphology and specific surface area of the photocatalyst it. In this paper, the application progress of g-C3N4-based photocatalytic materials in CO2 reduction is reviewed, and the modification strategies of g-C3N4-based catalysts to obtain better catalytic efficiency and selectivity in CO2 photocatalytic reduction are summarized, and the future development of this material is prospected.

Integration of Co Single Atoms and Ni Clusters on Defect-Rich ZrO2 for Strong Photothermal Coupling Boosts Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

We report a solvothermal method for the synthesis of an oxygen vacancy-enriched ZrO2 photocatalyst with Co single atoms and Ni clusters immobilized on the surface. This catalyst presents superior performance for the reduction of CO2 in H2O vapor, with a CO yield reaching 663.84 μmol g-1 h-1 and a selectivity of 99.52%. The total solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency is up to 0.372‰, which is among the highest reported values. The success, on one hand, depends on the Co single atoms and Ni clusters for both extended spectrum absorption and serving as dual-active centers for CO2 reduction and H2O dissociation, respectively; on the other hand, this is attributed to the enhanced photoelectric and thermal effect induced by concentrated solar irradiation. We demonstrate that an intermediate impurity state is formed by the hybridization of the d-orbital of single-atom Co with the molecular orbital of H2O, enabling visible-light-driven excitation over the catalyst. In addition, Ni clusters play a crucial role in altering the adsorption configuration of CO2, with the localized surface plasmon resonance effect enhancing the activation and dissociation of CO2 induced by visible-near-infrared light. This study provides valuable insights into the synergistic effect of the dual cocatalyst toward both efficient photothermal coupling and surface redox reactions for solar CO2 reduction.

Construction of a Dual-Function Mo-ZIS@Ti for Photocatalytic Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation and Hydrogen Evolution Performance

The photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol and the simultaneous evolution of hydrogen from water are efficient dual-optimal routes. It is important to develop composite catalysts that combine redox properties and facilitate electron-hole separation and transport. Herein, the bimetallic-doped Mo-ZIS@Ti photocatalyst was designed and synthesized, and the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol and hydrogen evolution by water splitting was realized at the same time. Under visible light irradiation, benzyl alcohol was completely converted with more than 99% selectivity for benzaldehyde, and the H2 production rate was 5.6 times higher than the initial ZIS. The exceptional catalytic performance was ascribed to utilizing Ti-MIL-125 as a precursor, wherein slowly releasing-doped Ti formed robust Ti-S bonds that quickly transfer electrons and reduce sites. Meanwhile, doping Mo effectively captures photogenerated holes and acts as active sites for oxidation reactions. Both experimental characterization and work function calculations demonstrate that the bimetallic synergism effectively modulates the electronic structure of ZIS, promotes the directional separation of electrons and holes, and significantly improves the photoactivity and stability of ZIS. This work contributes a route to obtain benzaldehyde and green hydrogen at the same time and also gives new insights for the construction and mechanism study of bimetallic-doping catalysts.

Hidden Impurities Generate False Positives in Single Atom Catalyst Imaging

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are an emerging class of materials, leveraging maximum atom utilization and distinctive structural and electronic properties to bridge heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Direct imaging methods, such as aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, are commonly applied to confirm the atomic dispersion of active sites. However, interpretations of data from these techniques can be challenging due to simultaneous contributions to intensity from impurities introduced during synthesis processes, as well as any variation in position relative to the focal plane of the electron beam. To address this matter, this paper presents a comprehensive study on two representative SACs containing isolated nickel or copper atoms. Spectroscopic techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, were employed to prove the high metal dispersion of the catalytic atoms. Employing scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging combined with single-atom-sensitive electron energy loss spectroscopy, we scrutinized thin specimens of the catalysts to provide an unambiguous chemical identification of the observed single-atom species and thereby distinguish impurities from active sites at the single-atom level. Overall, the study underscores the complexity of SACs characterization and establishes the importance of the use of spectroscopy in tandem with imaging at atomic resolution to fully and reliably characterize single-atom catalysts.

Innovative dual-active sites in interfacially engineered interfaces for high-performance S-scheme solar-driven CO2 photoreduction

The realization of 2D/2D Van der Waals (VDW) heterojunctions represents an advanced approach to achieving superior photocatalytic efficiency. However, electron transfer through Van der Waals heterojunctions formed via ex-situ assembly encounters significant challenges at the interface due to contrasting morphologies and potential barriers among the nanocomposite substituents. Herein, a novel approach is presented, involving the insertion of a phosphate group between copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and B-doped and N-deficient g-C3N4 (BDCNN), to design and construct a Van der Waals heterojunction labeled as xCu[acs]/yP-BDCNN. The introduction of phosphate as a charge modulator and efficient conduit for charge transfer within the heterojunction resulted in the elimination of spatial barriers and induced electron movement from BDCNN to CuPc in the excited states. Consequently, the catalytic central Cu2+ in CuPc captured the photoelectrons, leading to the conversion of CO2 to C2H4, CO and CH4. Remarkably, this approach resulted in a 78-fold enhancement in photocatalytic efficiency compared to pure BDCNN. Moreover the findings confirm that the 2D-2D 4Cu[acs]/9P-BDCNN sheet-like heterojunction effectively boosts photocatalytic activity for persistent pollutants such as methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), and tetracycline antibiotics (TCs). The introduction of "interfacial interacting" substances to establish an electron transfer pathway presents a novel and effective strategy for designing photocatalysts capable of efficiently reducing CO2 into valuable products.

Noble-Metal-Free Single- and Dual-Atom Catalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis

Artificial photosynthesis enables direct solar-to-chemical energy conversion aimed at mitigating environmental pollution and producing solar fuels and chemicals in a green and sustainable approach, and efficient, robust, and low-cost photocatalysts are the heart of artificial photosynthesis systems. As an emerging new class of cocatalytic materials, single-atom catalysts (SACs) and dual-atom catalysts (DACs) have received a great deal of current attention due to their maximal atom utilization and unique photocatalytic properties, whereas noble-metal-free ones impart abundance, availability, and cost-effectiveness allowing for scalable implementation. This review outlines the fundamental principles and synthetic methods of SACs and DACs and summarizes the most recent advances in SACs (Co, Fe, Cu, Ni, Bi, Al, Sn, Er, La, Ba, etc.) and DACs (CuNi, FeCo, InCu, KNa, CoCo, CuCu, etc.) based on non-noble metals, confined on an arsenal of organic or inorganic substrates (polymeric carbon nitride, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal-organic frameworks, carbon, etc.) acting as versatile scaffolds in solar-light-driven photocatalytic reactions, including hydrogen evolution, carbon dioxide reduction, methane conversion, organic synthesis, nitrogen fixation, hydrogen peroxide production, and environmental remediation. The review concludes with the challenges, opportunities, and future prospects of noble-metal-free SACs and DACs for artificial photosynthesis.

Unveiling Advancements: Trends and Hotspots of Metal-Organic Frameworks in Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are robust, crystalline, and porous materials featured by their superior CO2 adsorption capacity, tunable energy band structure, and enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiency, making them highly promising for photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (PCO2RR). This study presents a comprehensive examination of the advancements in MOFs-based PCO2RR field spanning the period from 2011 to 2023. Employing bibliometric analysis, the paper scrutinizes the widely adopted terminology and citation patterns, elucidating trends in publication, leading research entities, and the thematic evolution within the field. The findings highlight a period of rapid expansion and increasing interdisciplinary integration, with extensive international and institutional collaboration. A notable emphasis on significant research clusters and key terminologies identified through co-occurrence network analysis, highlighting predominant research on MOFs such as UiO, MIL, ZIF, porphyrin-based MOFs, their composites, and the hybridization with photosensitizers and molecular catalysts. Furthermore, prospective design approaches for catalysts are explored, encompassing single-atom catalysts (SACs), interfacial interaction enhancement, novel MOF constructions, biocatalysis, etc. It also delves into potential avenues for scaling these materials from the laboratory to industrial applications, underlining the primary technical challenges that need to be overcome to facilitate the broader application and development of MOFs-based PCO2RR technologies.

Research progress of dual-atom site catalysts for photocatalysis

Dual-atom site catalysts (DASCs) have sparked considerable interest in heterogeneous photocatalysis as they possess the advantages of excellent photoelectronic activity, photostability, and high carrier separation efficiency and mobility. The DASCs involved in these important photocatalytic processes, especially in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), N2/nitrate reduction, etc., have been extensively investigated in the past few years. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in DASCs that provides fundamental insights into the photocatalytic conversion of small molecules. The controllable preparation and characterization methods of various DASCs are discussed. Subsequently, the reaction mechanisms of the formation of several important molecules (hydrogen, hydrocarbons and ammonia) on DASCs are introduced in detail, in order to probe the relationship between DASCs's structure and photocatalytic activity. Finally, some challenges and outlooks of DASCs in the photocatalytic conversion of small molecules are summarized and prospected. We hope that this review can provide guidance for in-depth understanding and aid in the design of efficient DASCs for photocatalysis.

Coordination of copper within a crystalline carbon nitride and its catalytic reduction of CO2

Inherently disordered structures of carbon nitrides have hindered an atomic level tunability and understanding of their catalytic reactivity. Starting from a crystalline carbon nitride, poly(triazine imide) or PTI/LiCl, the coordination of copper cations to its intralayer N-triazine groups was investigated using molten salt reactions. The reaction of PTI/LiCl within CuCl or eutectic KCl/CuCl2 molten salt mixtures at 280 to 450 °C could be used to yield three partially disordered and ordered structures, wherein the Cu cations are found to coordinate within the intralayer cavities. Local structural differences and the copper content, i.e., whether full or partial occupancy of the intralayer cavity occurs, were found to be dependent on the reaction temperature and Cu-containing salt. Crystallites of Cu-coordinated PTI were also found to electrophoretically deposit from aqueous particle suspensions onto either graphite or FTO electrodes. As a result, electrocatalytic current densities for the reduction of CO2 and H2O reached as high as ∼10 to 50 mA cm-2, and remained stable for >2 days. Selectivity for the reduction of CO2 to CO vs. H2 increases for thinner crystals as well as for when two Cu cations coordinate within the intralayer cavities of PTI. Mechanistic calculations have also revealed the electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction requires a smaller thermodynamic driving force with two neighboring Cu atoms per cavity as compared to a single Cu atom. These results thus establish a useful synthetic pathway to metal-coordination in a crystalline carbon nitride and show great potential for mediating stable CO2 reduction at sizable current densities.

Photocatalytic Efficiency for CO2 Reduction of Co and Cluster Co2O2 Supported on g-C3N4: A Density Functional Theory and Machine Learning Study

It is well known from experimental results that a single atom of cobalt supported on g-C3N4 is an efficient photocatalyst for the reduction of CO2 to CO, with a better photocatalytic activity than g-C3N4. In this work, we investigate the performance as catalysts for the CO2 reduction of single atoms of cobalt and Co2O2 clusters supported on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Employing density functional theory plus Hubbard (DFT + U) calculations, we investigate in detail the reduction mechanisms to CO and HCOOH for the first time. We find that deposition of cobalt on g-C3N4 decreases the work function of g-C3N4 to 6.6 eV and provides a better candidate for the reduction reaction. In addition, we find that the preferred product of CO2 reduction on Co@g-C3N4 is CO, with a rate-determining barrier of 0.97 eV, while on Co2O2@g-C3N4, CO2 reduces to formate with a rate-determining barrier of 0.44 eV. We determine the creation of CO2 from COOH to only take place on Co2O2@g-C3N4, with a (relatively high) barrier of 2.27 eV. In order to obtain more easily the transition state energies of the reactions mentioned above, we applied machine learning methods to search for high-importance descriptors for these quantities, in the case of single transition metal atoms supported on C3N4. Interestingly, our results show that our quantities of interest are closely related to the adsorption energies of products and normalized valence electrons of the products of the elementary reactions as well as those of the metal atoms. The former of these two sets of features can be straightforwardly obtained via DFT, while the latter energies are extensively tabulated. Our results offer guidance for the design of catalysts and photocatalysts for CO2 reduction on single-metal atoms supported on C3N4.

Preparation of highly dispersed Ni single-atom doped ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets by metal vapor exfoliation for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Single-atom photocatalysts can modulate the utilization of photons and facilitate the migration of photogenerated carriers. However, the preparation of single-atom uniformly doped photocatalysts is still a challenging topic. Herein, we propose the preparation of Ni single-atom doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts by metal vapor exfoliation. The Ni vapor produced by calcining nickel foam at high temperature accumulates in between g-C3N4 layers and poses a certain vapor pressure to destroy the interlayer van der Waals forces of g-C3N4. Individual metal atoms are doped into the structure while exfoliating g-C3N4 into nanosheets by metal vapor. Upon optimization of Ni content, the Ni single atom doped g-C3N4 nanosheets with 2.81 wt% Ni exhibits the highest CO2 reduction performance in the absence of sacrificial agents. The generation rates of CO and CH4 are 19.85 and 1.73 μmol g-1h-1, respectively. The improved photocatalytic performance is attributed to the anchoring Ni of single atoms on g-C3N4 nanosheets, which increases both carrier separation efficiency and reaction sites. This work provides insight into the design of photocatalysts with highly dispersed single-atom.

Surface Engineered Single-atom Systems for Energy Conversion

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are demonstrated to show exceptional reactivity and selectivity in catalytic reactions by effectively utilizing metal species, making them a favorable choice among the different active materials for energy conversion. However, SACs are still in the early stages of energy conversion, and problems like agglomeration and low energy conversion efficiency are hampering their practical applications. Substantial research focus on support modifications, which are vital for SAC reactivity and stability due to the intimate relationship between metal atoms and support. In this review, a category of supports and a variety of surface engineering strategies employed in SA systems are summarized, including surface site engineering (heteroatom doping, vacancy introducing, surface groups grafting, and coordination tunning) and surface structure engineering (size/morphology control, cocatalyst deposition, facet engineering, and crystallinity control). Also, the merits of support surface engineering in single-atom systems are systematically introduced. Highlights are the comprehensive summary and discussions on the utilization of surface-engineered SACs in diversified energy conversion applications including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and energy conversion devices. At the end of this review, the potential and obstacles of using surface-engineered SACs in the field of energy conversion are discussed. This review aims to guide the rational design and manipulation of SACs for target-specific applications by capitalizing on the characteristic benefits of support surface engineering.

Well-defined diatomic catalysis for photosynthesis of C2H4 from CO2

Owing to the specific electronic-redistribution and spatial proximity, diatomic catalysts (DACs) have been identified as principal interest for efficient photoconversion of CO2 into C2H4. However, the predominant bottom-up strategy for DACs synthesis has critically constrained the development of highly ordered DACs due to the random distribution of heteronuclear atoms, which hinders the optimization of catalytic performance and the exploration of actual reaction mechanism. Here, an up-bottom ion-cutting architecture is proposed to fabricate the well-defined DACs, and the superior spatial proximity of CuAu diatomics (DAs) decorated TiO2 (CuAu-DAs-TiO2) is successfully constructed due to the compact heteroatomic spacing (2-3 Å). Owing to the profoundly low C-C coupling energy barrier of CuAu-DAs-TiO2, a considerable C2H4 production with superior sustainability is achieved. Our discovery inspires a novel up-bottom strategy for the fabrication of well-defined DACs to motivate optimization of catalytic performance and distinct deduction of heteroatom synergistically catalytic mechanism.

Modulation of active center distance of hybrid perovskite for boosting photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene

Solar-driven photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an energy-efficient and sustainable strategy to mitigate CO2 levels in the atmosphere. However, efficient and selective conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon products, like C2H4, remains a great challenge due to slow multi-electron-proton transfer and sluggish C-C coupling. Herein, a two-dimensional thin-layered hybrid perovskite is fabricated through filling of oxygen into iodine vacancy in pristine DMASnI3 (DMA = dimethylammonium). The rational-designed DMASnI3(O) induces shrinkage of active sites distance and facilitates dimerization of C-C coupling of intermediates. Upon simulated solar irradiation, the DMASnI3(O) photocatalyst achieves a high selectivity of 74.5%, corresponding to an impressive electron selectivity of 94.6%, for CO2 to C2H4 conversion and an effective C2H4 yield of 11.2 μmol g-1 h-1. In addition, the DMASnI3(O) inherits excellent water stability and implements long-term photocatalytic CO2 reduction to C2H4 in a water medium. This work establishes a unique paradigm to convert CO2 to C2+ hydrocarbons in a perovskite-based photocatalytic system.

A Full-Spectrum ZnS Photocatalyst with Gradient Distribution of Atomic Copper Dopants and Concomitant Sulfur Vacancies for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

A rarely discussed phenomenon in the realm of photocatalytic materials involves the presence of gradient distributed dopants and defects from the interior to the surface. This intriguing characteristic has been successfully achieved in the case of ZnS through the incorporation of atomic monovalent copper ions (Cu+) and concurrent sulfur vacancies (Vs), resulting in a photocatalyst denoted as G-CZS1-x. Through the cooperative action of these atomic Cu dopants and Vs, G-CZS1-x significantly extends its photoabsorption range to encompass the full spectrum (200-2100 nm), which improves the solar utilization ability. This alteration enhances the efficiency of charge separation and optimizes Δ(H*) (free energy of hydrogen adsorption) to approach 0 eV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It is noteworthy that both surface-exposed atomic Cu and Vs act as active sites for photocatalysis. G-CZS1-x exhibits a significant H2 evolution rate of 1.01 mmol h-1 in the absence of a cocatalyst. This performance exceeds the majority of previously reported photocatalysts, exhibiting approximately 25-fold as ZnS, and 5-fold as H-CZS1-x with homogeneous distribution of equal content Cu dopants and Vs. In contrast to G-CZS1-x, the H adsorption on Cu sites for H-CZS1-x (ΔG(H*) = -1.22 eV) is excessively strong to inhibit the H2 release, and the charge separation efficiency for H-CZS1-x is relatively sluggish, revealing the positive role of a gradient distribution model of dopants and defects on activity enhancement. This work highlights the synergy of atomic dopants and defects in advancing photoactivity, as well as the significant benefit of the controllable distribution model of dopants and defects for photocatalysis.

Copper Single-Atom Catalysts-A Rising Star for Energy Conversion and Environmental Purification: Synthesis, Modification, and Advanced Applications

Future renewable energy supply and green, sustainable environmental development rely on various types of catalytic reactions. Copper single-atom catalysts (Cu SACs) are attractive due to their distinctive electronic structure (3d orbitals are not filled with valence electrons), high atomic utilization, and excellent catalytic performance and selectivity. Despite numerous optimization studies are conducted on Cu SACs in terms of energy conversion and environmental purification, the coupling among Cu atoms-support interactions, active sites, and catalytic performance remains unclear, and a systematic review of Cu SACs is lacking. To this end, this work summarizes the recent advances of Cu SACs. The synthesis strategies of Cu SACs, metal-support interactions between Cu single atoms and different supports, modification methods including modification for carriers, coordination environment regulating, site distance effect utilizing, and dual metal active center catalysts constructing, as well as their applications in energy conversion and environmental purification are emphatically introduced. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for the future Cu SACs development are discussed. This review aims to provide insight into Cu SACs and a reference for their optimal design and wide application.

Schottky Junction and D-A1 -A2 System Dual Regulation of Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Highly Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are emerging as a promising molecular platform for photocatalysis. Nevertheless, the construction of highly effective charge transfer pathways in CTFs for oriented delivery of photoexcited electrons to enhance photocatalytic performance remains highly challenging. Herein, a molecular engineering strategy is presented to achieve highly efficient charge separation and transport in both the lateral and vertical directions for solar-to-formate conversion. Specifically, a large π-delocalized and π-stacked Schottky junction (Ru-Th-CTF/RGO) that synergistically knits a rebuilt extended π-delocalized network of the D-A1 -A2 system (multiple donor or acceptor units, Ru-Th-CTF) with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is developed. It is verified that the single-site Ru units in Ru-Th-CTF/RGO act as effective secondary electron acceptors in the lateral direction for multistage charge separation/transport. Simultaneously, the π-stacked and covalently bonded graphene is regarded as a hole extraction layer, accelerating the separation/transport of the photogenerated charges in the vertical direction over the Ru-Th-CTF/RGO Schottky junction with full use of photogenerated electrons for the reduction reaction. Thus, the obtained photocatalyst has an excellent CO2 -to-formate conversion rate (≈11050 µmol g-1 h-1 ) and selectivity (≈99%), producing a state-of-the-art catalyst for the heterogeneous conversion of CO2 to formate without an extra photosensitizer.

Isotype heterojunction: tuning the heptazine/triazine phase of crystalline nitrogen-rich C3N5 towards multifunctional photocatalytic applications

Photocatalytic technology has been well studied as a means to achieve sustainable energy generation through water splitting or chemical synthesis. Recently, a low C/N atomic ratio carbon nitride allotrope, C3N5, has been found to be highly prospective due to its excellent electronic properties and ample N-active sites compared to g-C3N4. Tangentially, crystalline g-C3N4 has also been a prospective candidate due to its improved electron transport and extended π-conjugated system. For the first time, our group successfully employed a one-step molten salt calcination method to prepare novel N-rich crystalline C3N5 and elucidate the effect of calcination temperature on the heptazine/triazine phase. Calcination temperatures of 500 °C (CC3N5-500) and 550 °C (CC3N5-550) lead to crystalline carbon nitride with both heptazine and triazine phases, forming an intimate isotype heterojunction for robust interfacial charge separation. An excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate (359.97 μmol h-1; apparent quantum efficiency (AQE): 12.86% at 420 nm) was achieved using CC3N5-500, which was 15-fold higher than that of pristine C3N5. Furthermore, CC3N5-500 exhibited improved activity for simultaneous benzyl alcohol oxidation and hydrogen production, as well as H2O2 production (AQE: 9.49% at 420 nm), signifying its multitudinous photoredox capabilities. Moreover, the recyclability tests of the optimal CC3N5-500 on a 3D-printed substrate also showed a 92% performance retention after 4 cycles (16 h). This highlights that crystalline C3N5 significantly augmented the reaction performance for diverse multifunctional solar-driven applications. As such, these results serve as a guide toward the structural tuning of 2D metal-free carbon nanomaterials with tunable crystallinity toward achieving boosted photocatalysis.

Contemporary advances in photocatalytic CO2 reduction using single-atom catalysts supported on carbon-based materials

The persistent issue of CO2 emissions and their subsequent impact on the Earth's atmosphere can be effectively addressed through the utilization of efficient photocatalysts. Employing a sustainable carbon cycle via photocatalysis presents a promising technology for simultaneously managing the greenhouse effect and the energy dilemma. However, the efficiency of energy conversion encounters limitations due to inadequate carrier utilization and a deficiency of reactive sites. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have demonstrated exceptional performance in efficiently addressing the aforementioned challenges. This review article commences with an overview of SAC types, structures, fundamentals, synthesis strategies, and characterizations, providing a logical foundation for the design and properties of SACs based on the correlation between their structure and efficiency. Additionally, we delve into the general mechanism and the role of SACs in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Furthermore, we furnish a comprehensive survey of the latest advancements in SACs concerning their capacity to enhance efficiency, long-term stability, and selectivity in CO2 reduction. Carbon-structured support materials such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), and graphene-based photocatalysts have garnered significant attention due to their substantial surface area, superior conductivity, and chemical stability. These carbon-based materials are frequently chosen as support matrices for anchoring single metal atoms, thereby enhancing catalytic activity and selectivity. The motivation behind this review article lies in evaluating recent developments in photocatalytic CO2 reduction employing SACs supported on carbon substrates. In conclusion, we highlight critical issues associated with SACs, potential prospects in photocatalytic CO2 reduction, and existing challenges. This review article is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and organized compilation of recent research findings on carbon support materials for SACs in photocatalytic CO2 reduction, with a specific focus on materials that are environmentally friendly, readily accessible, cost-effective, and exceptionally efficient. This work offers a critical assessment and serves as a systematic reference for the development of SACs supported on MOFs, COFs, g-C3N4, graphene, and CTFs support materials to enhance photocatalytic CO2 conversion.

Regulating Oxygen Vacancies and Fermi Level of Mesoporous CeO2-x for Intensified Built-In Electric Field and Boosted Charge Separation of Cs3 Bi2 Br9 /CeO2-x S-Scheme Heterojunction

Regulating the built-in electric field (BEF) in the heterojunction is is a great challenge in developing high-efficiency photocatalysts. Herein, by tailoring the content of oxygen vacancies in the constituent reduction semiconductor (mesoporous CeO2-x ), a precise Fermi level (EF ) regulation of CeO2-x is realized, yielding an amplified EF gap and intensified BEF in the Cs3 Bi2 Br9 perovskite quantum dots/CeO2-x S-scheme heterojunction. Such an enhanced BEF offers a strong driving force for directional electron transfer, boosting charge separation in the S-scheme heterojunction. As a result, the optimized Cs3 Bi2 Br9 /CeO2-x heterojunction delivers a remarkable CO2 conversion efficiency, with an impressive CO production rate of 80.26 µmol g-1  h-1 and a high selectivity of 97.6%. The S-scheme charge transfer mode is corroborated comprehensively by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photo-irradiated Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Moreover, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS) and theoretical calculations are conducted cooperatively to reveal the CO2 photoreduction pathway.

Cyano-Rich g-C3 N4 in Photochemistry: Design, Applications, and Prospects

Cyano-rich g-C3 N4 materials are widely used in various fields of photochemistry due to the very powerful electron-absorbing ability and electron storage function of cyano, as well as its advantages in improving light absorption, adjusting the energy band structure, increasing the polarization rate and electron density in the structure, active site concentration, and promoting oxygen activation ability. Notwithstanding, there is yet a huge knowledge break in the design, preparation, detection, application, and prospect of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 . Accordingly, an overall review is arranged to substantially comprehend the research progress and position of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 materials. An overall overview of the current research position in the synthesis, characterization (determination of their location and quantity), application, and reaction mechanism analysis of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 materials to provide a quantity of novel suggestions for cyano-modified carbon nitride materials' construction is provided. In view of the prevailing challenges and outlooks of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 materials, this paper will purify the growth direction of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 , to achieve a more in-depth exploration and broaden the applications of cyano-rich g-C3 N4 .

Nanoscale Metal Particle Modified Single-Atom Catalyst: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted considerable attention in heterogeneous catalysis because of their well-defined active sites, maximum atomic utilization efficiency, and unique unsaturated coordinated structures. However, their effectiveness is limited to reactions requiring active sites containing multiple metal atoms. Furthermore, the loading amounts of single-atom sites must be restricted to prevent aggregation, which can adversely affect the catalytic performance despite the high activity of the individual atoms. The introduction of nanoscale metal particles (NMPs) into SACs (NMP-SACs) has proven to be an efficient approach for improving their catalytic performance. A comprehensive review is urgently needed to systematically introduce the synthesis, characterization, and application of NMP-SACs and the mechanisms behind their superior catalytic performance. This review first presents and classifies the different mechanisms through which NMPs enhance the performance of SACs. It then summarizes the currently reported synthetic strategies and state-of-the-art characterization techniques of NMP-SACs. Moreover, their application in electro/thermo/photocatalysis, and the reasons for their superior performance are discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of NMP-SACs for the future design of advanced catalysts are addressed.

Modulating Charge Separation of Oxygen-Doped Boron Nitride with Isolated Co Atoms for Enhancing CO2 -to-CO Photoreduction

To alleviate the greenhouse effect and address the related energy crisis, solar-driven reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) to value-added products is considered as a sustainable strategy. However, the insufficient separation and rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers during photocatalysis greatly limit their reduction efficiency and practical application potential. Here, isolated Cobalt (Co) atoms are successfully decorated into oxygen-doped boron nitride (BN) via an in situ pyrolysis method, achieving greatly improved catalytic activity and selectivity to the carbon monoxide (CO) product. X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy demonstrates that the isolated Co atoms are stabilized by the O and N atoms with an unsaturated CoO2 N1 configuration. Further experimental investigation and theoretical simulations confirm that the decorated Co atoms not only work as the real active center during the CO2 reduction process, but also perform as the electron pump to promote the electron/hole separation and transfer, resulting in greatly accelerated reaction kinetics and improved activity. In addition, the CoO2 N1 coordination geometry is favorable to the conversion from *CO2 to *COOH, which shall be considered as a selectivity-determining step for the evolution of the CO products. The surface modulation strategy at the atomic level opens a new avenue for regulating the reaction kinetics for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Asymmetric Cu-N-La Species Enabling Atomic-Level Donor-Acceptor Structure and Favored Reaction Thermodynamics for Selective CO2 Photoreduction to CH4

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction into ideal hydrocarbon fuels, such as CH4 , is a sluggish kinetic process involving adsorption of multiple intermediates and multi-electron steps. Achieving high CH4 activity and selectivity therefore remains a great challenge, which largely depends on the efficiency of photogenerated charge separation and transfer as well as the intermediate energy levels in CO2 reduction. Herein, we construct La and Cu dual-atom anchored carbon nitride (LaCu/CN), with La-N4 and Cu-N3 coordination bonds connected by Cu-N-La bridges. The asymmetric Cu-N-La species enables the establishment of an atomic-level donor-acceptor structure, which allows the migration of electrons from La atoms to the reactive Cu atom sites. Simultaneously, intermediates during CO2 reduction on LaCu/CN demonstrate thermodynamically more favorable process for CH4 formation based on theoretical calculations. Eventually, LaCu/CN exhibits a high selectivity (91.6 %) for CH4 formation with a yield of 125.8 μmol g-1 , over ten times of that for pristine CN. This work presents a strategy for designing multi-functional dual-atom based photocatalysts.

Nitrogen vacancy-induced spin polarization of ultrathin zinc porphyrin nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Metalloporphyrin compounds have excellent electron transfer and visible light absorption ability, demonstrating broad application prospects in the field of photocatalysis. In this work, the nitrogen vacancies (NVs) were successfully introduced into zinc porphyrin (ZnTCPP) ultrathin nanosheets through surface N2 plasma treatment, which is environmentally friendly and can react in low temperatures. Furthermore, the prepared nitrogen vacancies-zinc porphyrin (NVs-ZnTCPP) materials exhibited excellent photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity and selectivity, specifically, the CO production rate of ZnTCPP-1 (N2 plasma treatment, 1 min) achieved as high as 12.5 µmol g-1h-1, which is about 2.7 times greater than that of untreated ZnTCPP. Based on the experimental and density functional theory calculation (DFT) results, it is found that the promoted photocatalytic performance of NVs-ZnTCPP could be mainly attributed to nitrogen vacancy-induced spin polarization by reducing the reaction barriers and inhibiting the recombination of photoexcited carriers. This work provides a new perspective for the construction of vacancy-based metalloporphyrin, and further explores the intrinsic mechanism between the electron spin property and the performance of the photocatalyst.

Highly selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution facilitated by oxidation induced nitrogen vacancies on g-C3N4

The introduction of nitrogen vacancies into polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has been attested to be a reliable strategy to enhance photocatalytic performance. Nitrogen vacancies were considered as active sites to promote the adsorption of target molecules and capture photoexcited electrons to inhibit the recombination of charge pairs, accelerate photoinduced electrons to participate in photocatalytic reaction. In this paper, a series of PCN with rich nitrogen vacancies were prepared by etching of chromic acid solution. Sample 20KCSCN had the highest photocatalytic performance whose evolution efficiency of CO2 to CO and CH4 can reach 3.9 and 0.5 μmol·g-1·h-1, respectively. These evolution efficiencies are 2.9 and 4 times higher than that of the PCN. Meanwhile, 20KCSCN demonstrates high CO conversion selectivity and stability. The successful introduction of nitrogen vacancies not only increases the active sites of PCN surface, but also optimizes the optical structure, which dramatically boosts the separation of photoexcited charge pairs and the reduction capacity of photogenerated electrons. The enhancement mechanism for photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of PCN was proposed. Besides, photocatalytic H2 evolution experiments were performed on all samples to confirm the universality of PCN photocatalytic activity enhancement etched by chromic acid solution. H2 evolution rate on 20KCSCN can reach 652 μmol·g-1·h-1, which is 1.6-fold higher than that on PCN (254 μmol·g-1·h-1) after 4 h irradiation under a 300 W Xe lamp. This work offers new venue for introducing nitrogen vacancies in PCN to regulate photoexcited charge pairs transfer. The photocatalytic enhancement of CO2 reduction could be used to alleviate the serious issue of excessive CO2 emission and energy crisis.

Copper-Sulfur-Nitrogen Cluster Providing a Local Proton for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Photoreduction

Atomically precise Cu clusters are highly desirable as catalysts for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR), and they provide an appropriate model platform for elaborating their structure-activity relationship. However, an efficient overall photocatalytic CO2 RR with H2 O using assembled Cu-cluster aggregates as single component photocatalyst has not been reported. Herein, we report a stable crystalline Cu-S-N cluster photocatalyst with local protonated N-H groups (denoted as Cu6 -NH). The catalyst exhibits suitable photocatalytic redox potentials, high structural stability, active catalytic species, and a narrow band gap, which account for its outstanding photocatalytic CO2 RR performance under visible light, with ≈100 % selectivity for CO evolution. Remarkably, systematic isostructural Cu-cluster control experiments, in situ infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations revealed that the protonated pyrimidine N atoms in the Cu6 -NH cluster act as a proton relay station, providing a local proton during the photocatalytic CO2 RR. This efficiently lowers the energy barrier for the formation of the *COOH intermediate, which is the rate-limiting step, efficiently enhancing the photocatalytic performance. This work lays the foundation for the development of atomically precise metal-cluster-based photocatalysts.

Size Effect of Cu Nanoparticles in Cu/g-C3N4 Composites on Properties for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Methanol

The main goal of this work is to develop cheap photocatalysts for the efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol with water. A series of composites of Cu/g-C3N4 were prepared via a solvothermal method. Copper nanoparticle (Cu NP) size in Cu/g-C3N4 can be easily controlled by adjusting the synthesis temperature. The Cu/g-C3N4 material with the proper size of Cu NP (CuCN-100) had the best photocatalytic property (675 μmol·g-1·h-1) in reducing the amount of CO2 to methanol at room temperature under normal pressure. The particle size of Cu NPs is the key factor to improve the catalytic activity and stability because of the improved transfer and separation of photogenerated charges with the small Cu NPs. Although the sample with large Cu NPs (CuCN-200) initially gave a better activity than that of CuCN-100 due to the formation of double heterojunction, its activity was thoroughly lost after two runs resulting from the continuous photocorrosion. This work provides a valuable insight for preparing efficient semiconductor-metal photocatalysts.

In-Plane Palladium and Interplanar Copper Dual Single-Atom Catalyst in Bulk-Like Carbon Nitride for Cascade CO2 Photoreduction

Dual single-atom catalysts (DSACs) are promising for breaking the scaling relationships and ensuring synergistic effects compared with conventional single-atom catalysts (SACs). Nevertheless, precise synthesis and optimization of DSACs with specific locations and functions remain challenging. Herein, dual single-atoms are specifically incorporated into the layer-stacked bulk-like carbon nitride, featuring in-plane three-coordinated Pd and interplanar four-coordinated Cu (Pd1 -Cu1 /b-CN) atomic sites, from both experimental results and DFT simulations. Using femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopy, it is found that the in-plane Pd features a charge decay lifetime of 95.6 ps which is much longer than that of the interplanar Cu (3.07 ps). This finding indicates that the in-plane Pd can provide electrons for the reaction as the catalytically active site in both structurally and dynamically favorable manners. Such a well-defined bi-functional cascade system ensures a 3.47-fold increase in CO yield compared to that of bulk-like CN (b-CN), while also exceeding the effects of single Pd1 /b-CN and Cu1 /b-CN sites. Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that the inherent transformation from s-p coupling to d-p hybridization between the Pd site and CO2 molecule occurs during the initial CO2 adsorption and hydrogenation processes and stimulates the preferred CO2 -to-CO reaction pathway.

Carbon Nitrides from Supramolecular Crystals: From Single Atoms to Heterojunctions and Advanced Photoelectrodes

Carbon nitride materials (CN) have become one of the most studied photocatalysts within the last 15 years. While CN absorbs visible light, its low porosity and fast electron-hole recombination hinder its photoelectric performance and have motivated the research in the modification of its physical and chemical properties (such as energy band structure, porosity, or chemical composition) by different means. In this Concept we review the utilization of supramolecular crystals as CN precursors to tailor its properties. We elaborate on the features needed in a supramolecular crystal to serve as CN precursor, we delve on the influence of metal-free crystals in the morphology and porosity of the resulting materials and then discuss the formation of single atoms and heterojunctions when employing a metal-organic crystal. We finally discuss the performance of CN photoanodes derived from crystals and highlight the current standing challenges in the field.

Reversed Electron Transfer in Dual Single Atom Catalyst for Boosted Photoreduction of CO2

Photogenerated charge localization on material surfaces significantly affects photocatalytic performance, especially for multi-electron CO2 reduction. Dual single atom (DSA) catalysts with flexibly designed reactive sites have received significant research attention for CO2 photoreduction. However, the charge transfer mechanism in DSA catalysts remains poorly understood. Here, for the first time, a reversed electron transfer mechanism on Au and Co DSA catalysts is reported. In situ characterizations confirm that for CdS nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Co or Au single atoms, photogenerated electrons are localized around the single atom of Co or Au. In DSA catalysts, however, electrons are delocalized from Au and accumulate around Co atoms. Importantly, combined advanced spectroscopic findings and theoretical computation evidence that this reversed electron transfer in Au/Co DSA boosts charge redistribution and activation of CO2 molecules, leading to highly significantly increased photocatalytic CO2 reduction, for example, Au/Co DSA loaded CdS exhibits, respectively, ≈2800% and 700% greater yields for CO and CH4 compared with that for CdS alone. Reversed electron transfer in DSA can be used for practical design for charge redistribution and to boost photoreduction of CO2 . Findings will be of benefit to researchers and manufacturers in DSA-loaded catalysts for the generation of solar fuels.

Recent Advances on Single-Atom Catalysts for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

The present energy crisis and environmental challenges may be efficiently resolved by converting carbon dioxide (CO2 ) into various useful carbon products. The development of more effective catalysts has been the main focus of current research on photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Due to their high atomic efficiency and superior catalytic activity, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted considerable interest in catalytic CO2 conversion. This review discusses the current research developments, obstacles, and potential of SACs for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. And further, discusses the principle of photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. This work has compared and analyzed the effects of support materials and active site types in SACs on photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance. This work believes that by sharing these developments, some inspiration for the rational design and development of stable and effective photocatalytic CO2 reduction catalysts based on SACs can be provided.

Boosted C-C coupling with Cu-Ag alloy sub-nanoclusters for CO2-to-C2H4 photosynthesis

The selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 and H2O to high value-added C2H4 remains a great challenge, mainly attributed to the difficulties in C-C coupling of reaction intermediates and desorption of C2H4* intermediates from the catalyst surface. These two key issues can be simultaneously overcome by alloying Ag with Cu which gives enhanced activity to both reactions. Herein, we developed a facile stepwise photodeposition strategy to load Cu-Ag alloy sub-nanoclusters (ASNCs) on TiO2 for CO2 photoreduction to produce C2H4. The optimized catalyst exhibits a record-high C2H4 formation rate (1110.6 ± 82.5 μmol g-1 h-1) with selectivity of 49.1 ± 1.9%, which is an order-of-magnitude enhancement relative to current work for C2H4 photosynthesis. The in situ FT-IR spectra combined with DFT calculations reveal the synergistic effect of Cu and Ag in Cu-Ag ASNCs, which enable an excellent C-C coupling capability like Ag and promoted C2H4* desorption property like Cu, thus advancing the selective and efficient production of C2H4. The present work provides a deeper understanding on cluster chemistry and C-C coupling mechanism for CO2 reduction on ASNCs and develops a feasible strategy for photoreduction CO2 to C2 fuels or industrial feedstocks.

Multifunctional carbon nitride nanoarchitectures for catalysis

Catalysis is at the heart of modern-day chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and there is an urgent demand to develop metal-free, high surface area, and efficient catalysts in a scalable, reproducible and economic manner. Amongst the ever-expanding two-dimensional materials family, carbon nitride (CN) has emerged as the most researched material for catalytic applications due to its unique molecular structure with tunable visible range band gap, surface defects, basic sites, and nitrogen functionalities. These properties also endow it with anchoring capability with a large number of catalytically active sites and provide opportunities for doping, hybridization, sensitization, etc. To make considerable progress in the use of CN as a highly effective catalyst for various applications, it is critical to have an in-depth understanding of its synthesis, structure and surface sites. The present review provides an overview of the recent advances in synthetic approaches of CN, its physicochemical properties, and band gap engineering, with a focus on its exclusive usage in a variety of catalytic reactions, including hydrogen evolution reactions, overall water splitting, water oxidation, CO2 reduction, nitrogen reduction reactions, pollutant degradation, and organocatalysis. While the structural design and band gap engineering of catalysts are elaborated, the surface chemistry is dealt with in detail to demonstrate efficient catalytic performances. Burning challenges in catalytic design and future outlook are elucidated.

Low-Dimensional High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Electrocatalytic Reactions

Low-dimensional high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanomaterials are widely employed as electrocatalysts for energy conversion reactions, due to their inherent advantages, including high electron mobility, rich catalytically active site, optimal electronic structure. Moreover, the high-entropy, lattice distortion, and sluggish diffusion effects also enable them to be promising electrocatalysts. A thorough understanding on the structure-activity relationships of low-dimensional HEA catalyst play a huge role in the future pursuit of more efficient electrocatalysts. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of low-dimensional HEA nanomaterials for efficient catalytic energy conversion. By systematically discussing the fundamentals of HEA and properties of low-dimensional nanostructures, we highlight the advantages of low-dimensional HEAs. Subsequently, we also present many low-dimensional HEA catalysts for electrocatalytic reactions, aiming to gain a better understanding on the structure-activity relationship. Finally, a series of upcoming challenges and issues are also thoroughly proposed as well as their future directions.

Synergetic Role of Thermal Catalysis and Photocatalysis in CO2 Reduction on Cu2/MoS2

Effective activation of CO2 is a primarily challenging issue in CO2 reduction to value-added hydrocarbon chemicals, due to the large energy gap between the highest-occupied and lowest-unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO-LUMO). Here, we employ state-of-the-art first-principles calculations to explore the synergetic role of thermal catalysis and photocatalysis in CO2 reduction, on typical single-atom scale catalyst, i.e., Cu2 magic cluster on a semiconducting two-dimensional MoS2 substrate. It is identified that only about 1% of the hot electrons excited from the MoS2 substrate by at least 6.3 eV photons may be trapped by the inert CO2 molecule at the expense of 400 fs. Moreover, the physisorption-to-chemisorption transition of CO2 can be observed within 500 fs upon overcoming an about 0.05 eV energy barrier. Contrastingly, upon chemisorption, the activated CO2δ- species may trap about 7% of the hot electron excited from the MoS2 substrate by about 2.5 eV visible photons, with a cost of 140 fs.