Piezocatalysis: a promising alternative route for CO2 reduction

Abstract

Catalytically reducing CO₂ offers an effective way to produce energy-rich fuels and high-value chemicals while simultaneously sequestrating CO₂ from the environment. However, driving the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is challenging, because the linear molecular structure of CO₂ is chemically inert with a low electron affinity. Thermal, light, and electrochemical energy are typically utilized to drive the CO₂RR. One alternative route to reduce CO₂ is via piezocatalysis. Piezocatalysis exploits the polarization of a material upon applying mechanical stress which enables spatial separation of the mechanically produced charge carriers to inhibit recombination. A piezocatalyst is uniquely suited to drive the CO₂RR even in the dark without external heating and a sacrificial compound. Although the piezocatalytic CO₂RR is just beginning to be explored, it is foreseen to become one of the most important scenarios for CO₂ utilization. In this perspective, we discuss prospects and challenges of the piezocatalytic CO₂RR. The received hypotheses on the piezocatalysis mechanism are critically discussed. Guidelines to obtain a potentially efficient piezocatalyst are outlined. We expect our contribution to inspire readers to get involved in this promising new area of research and bring it in the right direction.