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Persistent CO2 photocatalysis for solar fuels in the dark

Nature Sustainability volume 4, pages 466–473 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The hydrogenation of CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels via solar radiation offers a sustainable pathway towards a carbon-neutral energy cycle. However, the reaction is hindered by the intermittent availability of sunlight. This critical issue could be mitigated by engineering a materials system, known as persistent photocatalysis, that prolongs solar fuel production during overcast periods and into the evenings. During illumination, charge can be stored in a suitable capacitor or battery-like material that interfaces with the photocatalyst, while discharging occurs postillumination to continue driving the catalytic reaction. We discuss emerging trends and materials strategies to develop these catalyst systems and prolong the operation of photocatalysis.

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Fig. 1: Problems associated with clouds and duck curve.
Fig. 2: Mechanism of persistent photocatalysis and materials strategies in the literature.
Fig. 3: Materials engineering of suitable photocatalysts and pseudocapacitor systems.
Fig. 4: Band diagrams and morphologies of proposed structures for persistent CO2 photocatalysis.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Connaught Foundation, NSERC and University of Toronto for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Joel Y. Y. Loh & Nazir P. Kherani

  2. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Nazir P. Kherani

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Geoffrey A. Ozin

Authors
  1. Joel Y. Y. Loh
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  2. Nazir P. Kherani
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  3. Geoffrey A. Ozin
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Contributions

J.Y.Y.L. conceptualized and prepared the manuscript. G.A.O. and N.P.K. edited the manuscript and are principal investigators.

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Correspondence to Nazir P. Kherani or Geoffrey A. Ozin.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Peer review information Nature Sustainability thanks Ding Ma and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Loh, J.Y.Y., Kherani, N.P. & Ozin, G.A. Persistent CO2 photocatalysis for solar fuels in the dark. Nat Sustain 4, 466–473 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00681-y

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