Rationally designed nanoarray catalysts for boosted photothermal CO₂ hydrogenation

It is of emerging interest to convert CO₂ and green H₂ into solar fuels with great efficiency through photothermal CO₂ hydrogenation. However, designing photothermal catalysts with improved sunlight harvesting ability, intrinsic catalytic activity, and thermal management to prevent heat dissipation still remains rather challenging. Herein, we report a facile structural engineering strategy for preparing efficient nanoarray-based photothermal catalysts with strong light absorption ability, high metal dispersity, and effective thermal management. Optimizing the 120 μm-SiNCs@Co catalyst allowed it to reach a record high Co-based photothermal CO₂ conversion rate of 1780 mmol g_Co^-1 h^-1. This study provides insight into the structural engineering of photothermal catalysts for enhanced catalytic performance and lays a foundation for efficient photothermal CO₂ catalysis.