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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

CO2 Photoreduction to CH4 Performance Under Concentrating Solar Light
Published on: June 12, 2019
Solar energy utilization in the direct photocarboxylation of 2,3-dihydrofuran using CO2
Michele Aresta1, Angela Dibenedetto, Tomasz Baran
1ChBE, NUS, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore. cheam@nus.edu.sg.
Abstract:
The conversion of CO2 into high energy products (fuels) and the direct carboxylation of C-H bonds require a high energy input. Energy cannot be derived from fossil carbon, in this case. Solar energy can be used instead, with a low environmental impact and good profit. We have studied the use of white light or solar energy in the photoreduction of CO2 and in photocarboxylation reactions, using different semiconductors modified at their surface. Two examples of reduction of CO2 to methanol and CO will be shortly discussed, and two cases of carboxylation of organic substrates. The case of carboxylation of 2,3-dihydrofuran will be discussed in detail.
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