Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Water Splitting and CO2 Photoreduction

Abstract

The energy crisis and environmental pollution caused by increasing population puts the world in a dangerous zone. Photocatalytic water splitting to generate hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and photocatalytic CO2 reduction are the best alternative techniques to solve the world's problems. In connection to this, quantum dots (QDs) based semiconductor photocatalysts have become one of the promising materials for energy and environmental applications. Their unique properties including high surface area, more active sites, and high electric conductivity make them super candidates for water splitting and CO2 reduction. Moreover, the composites of QDs with various combinations including metal oxide-based QDS, metal sulfides QDS, metal selenides-based QDs and graphene QDs have become important types of QDs that have been well-considered for photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction applications. In this chapter, we have summarized the major catalytic and electronic properties of the as-mentioned QDs and their composites for energy and environmental applications. The prospects and developments of the semiconductor QDs photocatalysts for use in practical applications are also highlighted.