Ultrathin structured photocatalysts: A versatile platform for CO2 reduction

Sustainable photocatalytic CO2 reduction to produce valuable hydrocarbon fuels is an attractive pathway to mitigate current energy issue and greenhouse effect of CO2. Due to the unique structures and unusual physicochemical properties, ultrathin structured materials display promising opportunities to achieve efficient CO2 photoreduction performance. In this review, the state-of-the-art progress on ultrathin structured photocatalysts for CO2 photoreduction is reviewed. We start with the basic understanding on CO2 photoreduction and several points worthy of notice in CO2 photoreduction. Then advancements of diversified ultrathin photocatalysts towards CO2 photoreduction classified as 1D nanotubes/wires/rods/ribbons, 2D nanosheets/plates, and 3D architectures assembled with ultrathin structures are presented. Various strategies to further tailor the performance of CO2 reduction are discussed with the emphasis of structure-activity relationship, such as atomic incorporation, vacancy engineering, crystal facet tailoring, surface modification and heterostructure construction. Finally, the future opportunities and challenges for development of ultrathin structured photocatalysts for CO2 reduction are presented.