Catalytic conversion of CO 2 using carbon nitride-based catalysts: Recent advances, opportunities, and challenges

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into value-added products is a promising approach to address the sustainable energy crisis and control the CO 2 emissions. Cycloaddition of CO 2 , photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 into fuels and chemicals have attracted extensive attention among various conversion methods. However, challenges such as low CO 2 uptake, desired chemical kinetics and selectivity, thermodynamic stability, lower CO 2 conversion, light absorption efficiency, understanding of reaction mechanisms, high overpotential, Faradaic efficiency, scalability and practicality still exist. Thus, the fabrication of efficient catalysts and electrodes for CO 2 conversion is an essential avenue to explore. Among the most promising catalysts, carbon nitrides (CNs) are extensively investigated for CO 2 conversion due to their abundance, low price, morphology, suitable bandgap, large specific surface area and catalytic activity, high resistance, and eco-friendliness. Due to the poor performance of pure CNs in CO 2 conversion, developing engineered materials in different forms and compositions with high-performance is essential. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the current research progress, synthesis, characterization, catalytic applications of CN based catalysts and electrodes for CO 2 conversion. Critical parameters related to synthesis, catalysis and performance of CN based catalysts for CO 2 conversion are discussed in detail. The study also comprehensively analyses challenges and prospects for developing carbon nitride -based catalysts for CO 2 conversion.