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Updated: Sep 28, 2025
CO2 Photoreduction to CH4 Performance Under Concentrating Solar Light
Published on: June 12, 2019
Accelerating photo-thermal CO2 reduction to CO, CH4 or methanol over metal/oxide semiconductor catalysts
Kristijan Lorber1,2, Petar Djinović1,2
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, Laboratory for Catalysts, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova ulica 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Photo-thermal reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide into methane, methanol, and carbon monoxide under mild conditions over suitable (photo)catalysts is a feasible pathway for the production of fuels and platform chemicals with minimal involvement of fossil fuels. In this perspective, we showcase transition metal nanoparticles (Ni, Cu, and Ru) dispersed over oxide semiconductors and their ability to act as photo catalysts in reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS), methane dry reforming, methanol synthesis, and Sabatier reactions. By using a combination of light and thermal energy for activation, reactions can be sustained at much lower temperatures compared to thermally driven reactions and light can be used to leverage reaction selectivity between methanol, methane, and CO. In addition to influencing the reaction mechanism and decreasing the apparent activation energies, accelerating reaction rates and boosting selectivity beyond thermodynamic limitations is possible. We also provide future directions for research to advance the current state of the art in photo-thermal CO2 conversion.
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