Evaluation of zinc sulfide heterostructures as catalysts for the transformation of CO2 into valuable chemicals and clean energy generation

Abstract

There are significant concerns about global warming and the energy crisis due to the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and the depletion of fossil fuels. Converting CO₂ into organic molecules using the abundant solar energy would be a quick fix that would address both issues. Excess CO₂ is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming, extreme weather patterns, and a host of other environmental challenges. To tackle these problems, scientists are exploring novel approaches to adsorb CO₂, transform it into useful products, and then release it back into the atmosphere. Semiconductor materials play a crucial role in CO₂ reduction. Among these materials, zinc sulfide (ZnS) and doped ZnS have gained significant attention for the potential catalytic transformation of CO₂ into useful compounds. The semiconductor properties of ZnS and its derivatives make them particularly well-suited for this purpose. The present review provides a summary of the recent progress in the development of strategies for fabricating ZnS-based heterostructures with functional properties for CO₂ reduction. The mechanism of CO₂ conversion was also addressed with new insights into computational modelling. Lastly, future outlook on the development of catalytic ZnS-based materials for CO₂ reduction is provided.