Dual-active-center in Co doping LiNbO3 for enhanced CO2 photoreduction in pure water

Photocatalysis techniques for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals driven by solar irradiation has drawn increasing attention. While many photocatalysts often generate by-products that pose challenges for the subsequent synthesis of more complex products. Therefore, designing catalysts with both high selectivity and activity has become a critical issue. Our study reveals that the formation of dual-active-center in Co doping LiNbO3 (Co-LN) photocatalyst greatly improves the yield and selectivity of CO in photoreduction of CO2 in pure water at room temperature without requiring additional sacrificial agents. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy together with some in-situ measurement techniques and theoretical calculations reveal that the dual-active-center of oxygen vacancy and Co-dopant stabilizes the *CO2 and *CO intermediates, respectively, which regulates the rate-limiting step and facilitates the high activity and selectivity. This research will stimulate in-depth research on the use of efficient niobate materials for the photocatalytic conversion of CO2.