Application of photo catalysis for mitigation of carbon dioxide

Photo catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide by water or artificial photosynthesis to yield hydrocarbons (methane and methanol, etc., termed solar fuels) is being studied extensively, with the twin objectives of developing an effective means of limiting atmospheric CO2 levels and evolving a sustainable alternative route for production of fuels and chemicals. This short review covers the origin and thermodynamic and kinetic features of the process, the basic photocatalytic principles involved, the rationale behind the choice of different catalysts and their performance, the effect of process conditions, the effect of the structural and photophysical properties of the different catalysts on their performance, mechanistic pathways, surface transformations, challenges involved in the practical application of the process, and future directions for research. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.