Nanostructured Carbon Nitrides for CO₂ Capture and Conversion.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Carbon nitride (CN) is a metal-free, visible-light-active 2D photocatalyst with excellent optoelectronic and physicochemical properties.
• CN offers advantages over metal-based catalysts, including ease of synthesis, functionalization, sustainability, and metal-free nature.
• CN-based materials are promising for CO2 capture and reduction into fuels and chemicals via photo(electro)catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize recent research on functionalized nanostructured CNs and their hybrid heterostructures for CO2 reduction.
• To highlight advancements in synthesis and mechanistic understanding of CN-based materials for CO2 conversion.
• To review the application of state-of-the-art photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis using CN hybrids.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of novel functionalized nanostructured carbon nitrides (CNs).
• Fabrication of CN-based hybrid heterostructures.
• Investigation of photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction processes.
• Mechanistic studies on light absorption, charge separation, and CO2 transport.

Main Results:

• Implementation of advanced nanostructured and functionalized CNs and their hybrids.
• Demonstration of improved efficiency in CO2 reduction processes using these materials.
• Significant progress in understanding the mechanisms governing CN-based CO2 conversion.

Conclusions:

• Nanostructured and functionalized CN-based hybrid heterostructures are key to efficient CO2 capture and reduction.
• Further research into synthesis and mechanistic pathways will drive advancements in sustainable CO2 utilization.
• CN materials represent a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for CO2 valorization.