Promises of Plasmonic Antenna‐Reactor Systems in Gas‐Phase CO2 Photocatalysis

Abstract

AbstractSunlight‐driven photocatalytic CO2 reduction provides intriguing opportunities for addressing the energy and environmental crises faced by humans. The rational combination of plasmonic antennas and active transition metal‐based catalysts, known as “antenna‐reactor” (AR) nanostructures, allows the simultaneous optimization of optical and catalytic performances of photocatalysts, and thus holds great promise for CO2 photocatalysis. Such design combines the favorable absorption, radiative, and photochemical properties of the plasmonic components with the great catalytic potentials and conductivities of the reactor components. In this review, recent developments of photocatalysts based on plasmonic AR systems for various gas‐phase CO2 reduction reactions with emphasis on the electronic structure of plasmonic and catalytic metals, plasmon‐driven catalytic pathways, and the role of AR complex in photocatalytic processes are summarized. Perspectives in terms of challenges and future research in this area are also highlighted.