Surface plasmon assisted photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction: progress and perspectives

Abstract

Plasmonic photo-electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion is an effective approach for converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals than traditional photo and electrocatalysis. Advanced photo catalysts offer the unique benefits of harvesting visible light while regulating the catalytic properties via optimized size, morphology, or composition. In this regard, exploring photoelectric synergistic catalysis with high activity and selectivity is critical. In addition to photoelectrochemical properties, suppressing side reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction is the main bottleneck in exploring CO₂ reduction on the plasmonic photoelectrode for enhanced selectivity. This review focuses on plasmonic materials toward photoelectrochemical CO₂ reaction, which provides a new strategy for CO₂ conversion via synergy between visible light and electrocatalysis. The spatial visible light absorption of plasmonic nanomaterials for CO₂ conversion in various sizes and shapes and composites with other metals or semiconductors is highlighted in detail. Additionally, operando/in situ spectroscopy analysis could identify intermediate species during photo-electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction on the photoelectrode to comprehend the reaction mechanism and design more efficient plasmonic catalysts. We anticipate that this work will provide insights into understanding the mechanism of plasmonic photo-electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion and fabrication of advanced catalysts.