Photothermal CO₂ Catalysis toward the Synthesis of Solar Fuel: From Material and Reactor Engineering to Techno‐Economic Analysis

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), a member of greenhouse gases, contributes significantly to maintaining a tolerable environment for all living species. However, with the development of modern society and the utilization of fossil fuels, the concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has increased to 400 ppm, resulting in a serious greenhouse effect. Thus, converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals is highly desired, especially with renewable solar energy, which shows great potential with the manner of photothermal catalysis. In this review, recent advancements in photothermal CO₂ conversion are discussed, including the design of catalysts, analysis of mechanisms, engineering of reactors, and the corresponding techno-economic analysis. A guideline for future investigation and the anthropogenic carbon cycle are provided.