journal article·2026-04Open access

Asymmetric‐Coordinated Indium Single Atoms for Highly Selective Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction

Fengyu Tian, Yaohao Li, Xuemin Yan, Huiwen Zhu, Jiayu Liang, Honglei Zhang, Ning Han

Carbon Energy· Volume 8· Issue 4

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction involves multiple proton‐coupled and multi‐electron transfers, leading to a plethora of reaction pathways and consequently unpredictable products. The unique electronic structure and unsaturated coordination environment of single‐atom photocatalysts can influence the reaction pathways of CO 2 photoreduction, enhancing the yield of a target product. Herein, we rationally design the In single‐atom photocatalyst (In‐NTO) containing isolated In δ+ –N 3 O 2 atomic interface sites for highly efficient and selective CO 2 ‐to‐CO photoreduction. This distinctive atomic configuration not only reduces the overall activation energy barrier but also transforms the key *CO desorption step from an endoergic to an exoergic one, thereby altering the reaction pathway to selectively produce CO rather than CH 4 . Consequently, the 0.25 wt% In‐NTO exhibits high selectivity (95.9%) for photocatalytic CO 2 ‐to‐CO conversion, with a rate of 6.34 µmol g −1 h −1 . This work offers a novel strategy for modulating the reactivity and product selectivity of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction toward desired products by constructing single‐atom sites with heteroatomic coordination.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques · Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Yangtze University Jingzhou Hubei China

Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Catalysis and Carbon Dioxide Utilization Wuhan Hubei China

College of Digital Technology and Engineering Ningbo University of Finance and Economics Ningbo Zhejiang China

Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering University of Nottingham Ningbo China Ningbo Zhejiang China

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada

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