Catalytic conversion of CO2 using carbon nitride-based catalysts: Recent advances, opportunities, and challenges

[Display omitted] •Synthesis of carbon nitride-based catalysts for CO2 conversion is discussed.•The selectivity and catalytic activity of the carbon nitride-based catalysts are compared.•Challenges in developing engineered carbon nitrides-based catalysts are presented.•Challenges and opportunities related to the synthesis and catalytic activity of carbon nitrides for CO2 conversion are highlighted. Catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added products is a promising approach to address the sustainable energy crisis and control the CO2 emissions. Cycloaddition of CO2, photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into fuels and chemicals have attracted extensive attention among various conversion methods. However, challenges such as low CO2 uptake, desired chemical kinetics and selectivity, thermodynamic stability, lower CO2 conversion, light absorption efficiency, understanding of reaction mechanisms, high overpotential, Faradaic efficiency, scalability and practicality still exist. Thus, the fabrication of efficient catalysts and electrodes for CO2 conversion is an essential avenue to explore. Among the most promising catalysts, carbon nitrides (CNs) are extensively investigated for CO2 conversion due to their abundance, low price, morphology, suitable bandgap, large specific surface area and catalytic activity, high resistance, and eco-friendliness. Due to the poor performance of pure CNs in CO2 conversion, developing engineered materials in different forms and compositions with high-performance is essential. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the current research progress, synthesis, characterization, catalytic applications of CN based catalysts and electrodes for CO2 conversion. Critical parameters related to synthesis, catalysis and performance of CN based catalysts for CO2 conversion are discussed in detail. The study also comprehensively analyses challenges and prospects for developing carbon nitride-based catalysts for CO2 conversion.