High-performance materials designed for photo-electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide

Photo-electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction (PEC CO₂RR) to high-value-added fuels and chemicals is of great significance for alleviating the energy crisis and global warming. Although this technology can synergistically utilize solar energy and external bias to achieve efficient charge separation and CO₂ conversion, the development of high-performance photo-electrocatalytic materials still faces severe challenges. In this review, we are concerned with the progress of high-performance catalysts for PEC CO₂RR to high value-added products. Firstly, we systematically expound the basic principles and pathways of PEC CO₂RR. Secondly, the various catalytic materials for optimizing the PEC CO₂RR performance are reviewed in detail, including traditional semiconductors, perovskites, metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, carbon-based materials and molecular catalysts. Thirdly, the role of photovoltaic device design in enhancing the overall conversion efficiency and product selectivity was summarized. Finally, we briefly discuss the research prospects and challenges of high-performance photo-electrocatalytic materials in PEC CO₂RR.