Material Design and Product Pathway Selection in CO Photoelectrocatalysis

As global warming increases, excessive CO emissions have become a major challenge to environmental sustainability. CO reduction is regarded as a promising pathway toward carbon neutrality. This work reviews catalytic materials including metal-based, carbon-based, metalorganic frameworks (MOFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), focusing on their structural features, catalytic performance, and photoelectrocatalysts. Studies have shown that Cu-based catalysts favor multi-carbon products, whereas Ag and Au primarily yield CO. Methanol is particularly attractive due to its low energy barrier, convenient storage and transport, and high chemical value. Overall, catalyst type and reaction conditions strongly influence product distribution, but achieving selective control remains a key challenge for efficient conversion. Future research should emphasize multifunctional catalyst design, interfacial electronic regulation, and the integration of product separation with utilization to advance practical CO reduction technologies.