Functional Conjugated Polymers for CO2 Reduction Using Visible Light

The reduction of CO2 with visible light is a highly sustainable method for producing valuable chemicals. The function‐led design of organic conjugated semiconductors with more chemical variety than that of inorganic semiconductors has emerged as a method for achieving carbon photofixation chemistry. Here, we report the molecular engineering of triazine‐based conjugated microporous polymers to capture, activate and reduce CO2 to CO with visible light. The optical band gap of the CMPs is engineered by varying the organic electron‐withdrawing (benzothiadiazole) and electron‐donating units (thiophene) on the skeleton of the triazine rings while creating organic donor–acceptor junctions to promote the charge separation. This engineering also provides control of the texture, surface functionality and redox potentials of CMPs for achieving the light‐induced conversion of CO2 to CO ambient conditions. The optical band gap of the triazine‐based conjugated polymers was engineered by varying the organic electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating units on the skeleton of the triazine rings while controlling the texture, surface functionality, and redox potentials for achieving the conversion of CO2 to CO.