Integration of [(Co(bpy) 3 ] 2+ Electron Mediator with Heterogeneous Photocatalysts for CO 2 Conversion

An efficient chemical system for electron generation and transfer is constructed by the integration of an electron mediator ([Co(bpy) 3 ] 2+ ; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with semiconductor photocatalysts. The introduction of [Co(bpy) 3 ] 2+ remarkably enhances the photocatalytic activity of pristine semiconductor photocatalysts for heterogeneous CO 2 conversion; this is attributable to the acceleration of charge separation. Of particular interest is that the excellent photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous catalysts can be developed as a universal photocatalytic CO 2 reduction system. The present findings clearly demonstrate that the integration of an electron mediator with semiconductors is a feasible process for the design and development of efficient photochemical systems for CO 2 conversion.