Insights on Carbon Neutrality by Photocatalytic Conversion of Small Molecules into Value-Added Chemicals or Fuels

CONSPECTUS:Photocatalytic conversion of small molecules(including H_(2)O,CO_(2),N_(2),CH4,and benzene)into value-added chemicals or fuels(e.g.,H_(2),NH_(3),C_(2)+,etc.)is a promising strategy to cope with both the worldwide increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emission in both energy sectors and chemical industry,thus paving an effective way to carbon neutrality.On the other hand,compared with conventionally thermo-or electrocatalytic processes,photoactivation can convert these very stable small molecules by the unexhausted solar energy,so leading to store solar energy in chemical bonds.Thus,it can effectively reduce the reliance on the nonrenewable fossil fuels and avoid the substantial emission of hazardous gases such as CO_(2),NOx,and so on while producing valued-added chemicals.For example,semiconductors can absorb solar light to split H_(2)O into H2 and O2 or convert CO_(2)to alcohols,which can then be used as zero or neutral carbon energy sources.