Advances in Biomimetic Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Emerging photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) systems synergize the advantages of electrocatalysis (EC) and photocatalysis (PC) and are considered a green and efficient approach to CO₂ conversion. However, improving the selectivity and conversion rate remains a major challenge. Strategies mimicking natural photosynthesis provide a prospective way to convert CO₂ with high efficiency. Herein, several typical strategies are described for constructing biomimetic photoelectric functional interfaces; such interfaces include metal cocatalysts/semiconductors, small molecules/semiconductors, molecular catalysts/semiconductors, MOFs/semiconductors, and microorganisms/semiconductors. The biomimetic PEC interface must have enhanced CO₂ adsorption capacity, preferentially activate CO₂ , and have an efficient conversion ability; with these properties, it can activate CO bonds effectively and promote electron transfer and CC coupling to convert CO₂ to single-carbon or multicarbon products. Interfacial electron transfer and proton coupling on the biomimetic PEC interface are also discussed to clarify the mechanism of CO₂ reduction. Finally, the existing challenges and perspectives for biomimetic photoelectrocatalytic CO₂ reduction are presented.