Fundamental study of the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2: A short review of thermodynamics, kinetics and mechanisms

On the off chance that methods which reduce the global CO 2 content are unavailable and inefficient, the increasing CO 2 levels will lead to a synchronized rise in temperature across the world. The conversion of this abundant CO 2 into hydrocarbons like CH 4 , CH 3 OH, CO, HCOOH and hydrogen fuel using different techniques and their use for power could assist with the world’s energy deficiency and solve the CO 2 reduction-energy nexus. In this study, photocatalytic CO 2 conversion by sunlight will be of primary focus since this bears a resemblance with the regular photosynthesis phenomenon. This work also portrays the writings that have narrated the development of mixtures of two or more carbon ions (C 2 + ) within the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . This paper thus comprises the energy required for CO 2 photoreduction, the kinetics mechanisms and thermodynamics requirements. The reaction of CO with water and the hydrogenation of CO 2 are covered to understand the gap of Gibb’s free energy between both of the reactions. Likewise, the summary of different metal-based co-catalysts, metal-free co-catalysts and their selectivity towards CO 2 reduction by photocatalysis and reduction of CO 2 into various hydrocarbons, fuel and materials have also been examined.