Atomic Active Centers Anchored Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to Renewable Ethylene/Ethane

Abstract

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene/ethane offers a sustainable and cost‐effective approach to simultaneously produce these high‐demand chemicals while reducing atmospheric CO2 level. Lately, atomic active centers (AACs) anchored photocatalysts are comprehensively investigated for their exceptional photocatalytic performance regarding the photosynthesis of ethylene/ethane. This review provides a critical summary of the incorporation of various AACs, such as Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, Ni, P/Cu, and CuAu, onto different photocatalyst supports, including metal oxide, carbon nitride, red phosphorous, covaleng organic framework , and bimetallic sulfide together with their crucial role in raising the rates of ethylene/ethane production and selectivities. Furthermore, this review offers a comprehensive summary/analyses of preparation routes, chemical composition, atomic configurations, coordination structures, optical characteristics, structure–performance relationship, reaction intermediates, reaction pathways, photocatalysis mechanism, and photocatalytic performances of the as‐prepared AAC anchored photocatalysts using state‐of‐art in situ characterization techniques. This review also emphasizes the challenges in the process of photocatalytic CO2 conversion to target products, the role of anchored AACs, limitations, potential applications, and future outlooks for AACs anchored photocatalysts.

Keywords

• atomic active center
• CO2 photoreduction
• ethylene/ethane
• in situ characterization