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Core–Shell Materials for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

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Core-Shell and Yolk-Shell Nanocatalysts

Part of the book series: Nanostructure Science and Technology ((NST))

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2), as one of the main greenhouse gases, has been focused on for photoreduction into useful chemical fuels under solar light irradiation to solve the problems of global warming and energy shortage. The key factor is the catalyst and the core–shell structured nanomaterial is regarded as a promising photocatalyst, with the advantages of large specific surface areas, novel electronic structures, and strong synergistic interfacial interactions. Herein, the chapter highlights recent advances in developing core–shell structured photocatalysts for the reduction in CO2. The systems of various zero dimensional (0D) nanoparticles, 1D nanofibers/nanotubes, 2D nanosheets, and 3D hierarchical nanocomposites have mainly been described, including noble metals, carbon nanofibers/nanotubes, 1D metal oxides, 2D graphene, g-C3N4, 3D MOFs, etc. It has been proposed that the design and synthesis of nanocomposites with core–shell structures are beneficial for the fast charge separation/migration, rich light absorption, and efficient reactant CO2 adsorption/activation under the influences of Z-scheme, polarization, and built-in electric field, thus promoting the photocatalytic performance and active intermediate formation. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction mechanisms of multistep electrons transfer and CO2 adsorption-photoreduction are addressed, especially the importance of reactive sites on photocatalysts, such as vacancies in the crystal lattice, anchoring functional groups, doping single heterogeneous atoms, and fabricating Lewis acid/base pairs. Based on the current state-of-the-art for CO2 photocatalytic conversion far from the practical realization, a perspective on the direction and prospect of the controllable core–shell structured nanocomposites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction in future is concluded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Vehicle Emissions Control, School of the Environment, Center of Modern Analysis, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, People’s Republic of China

    Weixin Zou, Xiaoqian Wei & Lin Dong

Authors
  1. Weixin Zou
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  2. Xiaoqian Wei
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  3. Lin Dong
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lin Dong .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Materials Science, Osaka University, Suita, Japan

    Hiromi Yamashita

  2. Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China

    Hexing Li

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Zou, W., Wei, X., Dong, L. (2021). Core–Shell Materials for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction. In: Yamashita, H., Li, H. (eds) Core-Shell and Yolk-Shell Nanocatalysts. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0463-8_13

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