Abstract
Solar-driven CO2 conversion into value-added C1 and C2 chemicals and fuels offer an attractive route to alleviate global environmental and energy issues. Vacancy modified Bi-based photocatalysts possessing fascinating layered framework, visible-light responsive features, and tunable electronic arrangement, are a preeminent candidate for photocatalytic CO2 conversion. Vacancy engineering in Bi-based materials offers simultaneous modification in the electronic structure, surfacial active sites, and CO2 adsorption/activation kinetics leading to efficacious selective CO2 photoconversion. Herein, the phenomenon of CO2 photoconversion directed by vacancy-modified bismuth-based photocatalysts has been systematically reviewed and presented. Starting from the fundamentals of CO2 photoreduction, the potential role of vacancies in improving CO2 adsorption and activation has been highlighted. Afterward, the advanced characterization tools for the identification of va-cancies and various engineering methods for controlled vacancy generation are comprehensively discussed. Also, the impact of vacancy generation on the selective conversion of CO2 into value-added C1 and C2 products has been thoroughly investigated. In conclusion, based on the understanding and relationships of vacancies with photocatalytic properties of bismuth-based materials, existing challenges and foresighted perspectives are mentioned.