Efficient Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction

Three types of photocatalytic systems for CO2 reduction, which were recently developed in our group, are reviewed. First, two-component systems containing different rhenium­(I) complexes having different roles; i.e., redox photosensitizer and catalyst in the reaction solution are described. The mixed system of a ring-shaped rhenium­(I) trinuclear complex and fac-[Re­(bpy)­(CO)3(MeCN)]+ is currently the most efficient photocatalytic system for CO2 reduction (ΦCO = 0.82 at λex = 436 nm). The second is a series of supramolecular photocatalysts, which have units with different functions in one molecule, i.e., redox photosensitizer, catalyst, and bridging ligand. The highest durability and speed of photocatalysis were achieved by using this system (ΦCO = 0.45, TONCO = 3029, and TOFCO = 35.7 min–1). The third is a novel type of artificial Z-Scheme photocatalyst for CO2 reduction, of which photocatalysis is revealed by stepwise excitation of both a semiconductor photocatalyst unit and the supramolecular photocatalyst unit. This system has both strong oxidation and reduction powers.