Materials Design for Photocatalytic CO₂ Conversion to C₂₊ Products

Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in photocatalytic CO 2 conversion from the general public and the scientific community. In theory, this technology can harness abundant solar energy to transform waste CO 2 into valuable chemicals, holding the potential to replace certain conventional chemical engineering methods for industrial chemical production in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Despite these promising aspects, the practical application of photocatalytic CO 2 conversion has been hampered by its limited activity and selectivity. Numerous efforts have been dedicated to enhancing the activity of photocatalytic CO 2 conversion over the past few decades, driving its progress. However, there has been a noticeable shortage of research focused on improving the selectivity of this process, particularly concerning the generation of high-value C 2+ products. In this Perspective, our primary objective is to delve into recent developments in photocatalytic CO 2 conversion, with a specific emphasis on the production of C 2+ products. Our discussion will commence by elucidating the fundamental principles and mechanisms underlying C–C coupling in this reaction. Subsequently, we will provide an overview of the current techniques available for fine-tuning the selectivity of these reactions toward the formation of C 2+ products. Finally, we will conclude this perspective by offering insights into the prospects and potential advancements in this field.