| Abstract Scope |
The climate problems related to greenhouse gas emissions request strategies for decarbonizing the global economy. Recycling CO2 and CH4 emissions using renewable energies, such as solar, depends on developing electrochemical routes with high efficiency, good selectivity, and long-term use. Thus, the design of photo(electro)catalysts plays a fundamental role. Several semiconductors such as TiO2, BiVO2, ZnO, CuO, and Cu2O, among others, have been synthesized and characterized as photoanodes or photocathodes. Finally, the photo(electro)chemical cell concept is challenging, demanding substrates to support the catalysts (immobilization), membranes for ion separation, and adequate fluid dynamics. A review of the concepts of photoelectrocatalysis applied to an integrated approach of CO2 reforming (reduction), and CH4 reforming (controlled oxidation to liquid products) is proposed, comprising a comparison of photoelectrocatalytic systems against other alternatives (e.g., high-temperature reactions), along with the specific challenges (synthesis routes, catalyst discovery, system design, upscaling) emphasizing case studies from our research group. |