FURI | Summer 2024, Needs Review

Tuning Polyoxometalates to Create Ideal Photocatalysts for Carbon Fixation

Carbon fixation is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2 through a series of uphill reactions. Polyoxometalates (POMs) are used as a photocatalyst which drives the reaction forward. The structure and composition of POMs can be modified, allowing them to absorb a broader range of light frequencies.  This can be done by altering their crystalline structure or substituting the metal center. Thus, their photocatalytic ability can drastically increase, leading to greater activity and selectivity in the carbon fixation process.