Recent advances in solar‐driven CO2 reduction over g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts

Abstract The persistent increase of CO 2 levels in the atmosphere, already exceeding 400 ppm, urges the exploration of CO 2 emission reduction and recycling technologies. Ideally, photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 into valuable hydrocarbons realizes solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion, which is a desirable “kill two birds with one stone” strategy; namely, CO 2 photoreduction can simultaneously tackle energy shortage and keep global carbon balance. Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) working on CO 2 reduction reaction deserves a highlight not only for the metal‐free feature that endows it with low cost, tunable electronic structure, and easy fabrication properties but also because of its strong reduction ability. The present review concisely summarizes the latest advances of g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts toward CO 2 reduction. It starts with the discussion of thermodynamics and dynamics aspects of the CO 2 reduction process. Then the modification strategies to promote g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts in CO 2 photoreduction have been discussed in detail, including surface functionalization, molecule structure engineering, crystallization, morphology engineering, loading cocatalyst, and constructing heterojunction. Meanwhile, the intrinsic factors affecting CO 2 reduction activity and selectivity are analyzed and summarized. In the end, the challenges and prospects for the future development of highly g‐C 3 N 4 ‐based photocatalysts in CO 2 reduction are also presented.