Emerging photocatalysts for efficient CO-to-Fuel conversion

Photocatalytic CO reduction has emerged as a promising strategy to simultaneously mitigate climate change and meet growing energy needs by transforming CO into useful fuels and chemicals using solar energy. This review systematically explores the key principles and latest progress in heterogeneous photocatalytic CO conversion systems. The working mechanisms of CO photoreduction are analyzed, with particular emphasis on high-performance photocatalysts responsive to both UV and visible light. To improve catalytic performance, various approaches for boosting the activity and product selectivity of these materials are discussed. Additionally, current challenges in photocatalytic CO reduction are outlined, along with potential research directions to overcome these barriers. The findings presented here offer valuable insights for designing more effective photocatalytic systems, ultimately advancing CO utilization technologies.