Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 in hydrocarbon: A greener approach for energy production

Abstract

Abstract The chapter discusses the general phenomenon of green energy production (GEP) using various photocatalytic materials, sources of CO2 and their effects on living beings, and advantages of such mimicking of natural photosynthesis and its need. The importance of renewable energy sources and their improvement, photocatalytic reaction mechanisms, type of reactor, and design of photocatalytic reactor are described with proper explanation. The role of nanoparticles and other molecules in photocatalysis is explored with its mechanism and single, bimetallic, and trimetallic nanoparticles with examples are reviewed. Especially, nanomaterials as photocatalysts have reduced dimensions for electron transport, high surface areas, catalytic activity, and shorter diffusion pathway for the reactants. Transition metal oxides have long been considered as photocatalysts; however, these materials show low CO2 conversion efficiencies because of their wide bandgap, which results in poor light absorption characteristics in the visible range. To improve the photocatalytic activity of CO2 conversion, alternative compound semiconductors with high visible light absorption properties have been considered as photocatalysts for CO2 conversion.