Defective metal oxides for carbon dioxide reduction to low-carbon fuels

Converting carbon dioxide (CO2) generated during the capturing process into less carbon products is crucial to effectively tackling the energy and environmental crisis. This article provides a comprehensive review of defective metal oxide semiconductors (DMOS) and their immense potential in the CO2-to-low-carbon fuels conversion process. Metal oxide semiconductors have shown promise in photocatalytic CO2 reduction; however, their performance can be drastically improved by introducing crystal structure defects. These defects in metal oxides facilitate charge separation, increase surface area, and create active catalytic sites, thereby enhancing their efficiency in CO2 conversion. Thus, this article explores the role of defects in metal oxides and their effects on CO2 conversion, highlighting recent progress in the synthesis and characterization of defective metal oxide semiconductors. In addition, the article investigates the potential applications of these materials in producing low-carbon fuels such as methane (CH4), methanol (CH3OH), and formic acid (HCOOH). The discussion extends to the challenges faced in developing DMOS for CO2 conversion, including stability and scalability. The article concludes by outlining prospects and research directions essential for the advancement of DMOS in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient CO2 conversion technologies.