Thermodynamic analysis of the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide alone （＂dry reforming＂） and with carbon dioxide and steam together （＂mixed reforming＂） is performed as part of a project which investigate...Thermodynamic analysis of the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide alone （＂dry reforming＂） and with carbon dioxide and steam together （＂mixed reforming＂） is performed as part of a project which investigates the suitability of these endothermic reactions for the storage of solar thermal energy. The Gibbs free energy minimization method was employed to identify thermodynamically optimal operating conditions for dry reforming as well as mixed reforming with a desired H2/CO molar ratio of 2. The non-stoichiometric equilibrium model was developed using FactSage software to conduct the thermodynamic calculations for carbon formation, H2/CO ratio, CH4 conversion and H2 yield as a function of reaction temperature, pressure and reactant molar ratios. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that in the mixed reforming process, optimal operating conditions in a carbon-free zone are under H2O/CH4 /CO2 =1.0/1.0/0.5, p = 1 to 10 bar and T = 800 to 850℃ for the production of syngas with a H2 /CO molar ratio of 2. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum H2 yield of 88.0% is achieved at 1 bar and 850℃ with a maximum CH4 conversion of 99.3%. In the dry reforming process, a carbon formation regime is always present at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio of 1 for T = 700 1000℃ and p = 1-30 bar, whereas a carbon-free regime can be obtained at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio greater than 1.5 and T≥800℃.展开更多
Using solar energy to produce syngas via the endothermic reforming of methane has been extensively inves- tigated at the laboratory- and pilot plant-scales as a promising method of storing solar energy. One of the cha...Using solar energy to produce syngas via the endothermic reforming of methane has been extensively inves- tigated at the laboratory- and pilot plant-scales as a promising method of storing solar energy. One of the challenges to scaling up this process in a tubular reformer is to improve the reactor＇s performance, which is limited by mass and heat transfer issues. High thermal conductivity Cu foam was therefore used as a sub-strate to improve the catalyst＇s thermal conductivity during solar reforming. We also developed a method to coat the foam with the catalytically active component NiMg3AlOx. The Cu foam-based NiMg3AlOx performs better than catalysts supported on SiSiC foam, which is currently used as a substrate for solar-reforming cat- alysts, at high gas hourly space velocity （≥400,000 mL/（g.h）） or at low reaction temperatures （≤ 720 ℃）. The presence of a γ-Al2O3 intermediate layer improves the adhesion between the catalyst and substrate as well as the catalytic activity.展开更多
The energy storage mechanism of azobenzene is based on the transformation of molecular cis and trans isomerization,while NBD/QC,DHA/VHF,and fulvalene dimetal complexes realize the energy storage function by changing t...The energy storage mechanism of azobenzene is based on the transformation of molecular cis and trans isomerization,while NBD/QC,DHA/VHF,and fulvalene dimetal complexes realize the energy storage function by changing the molecular structure.Acting as“molecular batteries,”they can exhibit excellent charging and discharging behavior by converting between trans and cis isomers or changing molecular structure upon absorption of ultraviolet light.Key properties determining the performance of STFs are stored energy,energy density,half-life,and solar energy conversion efficiency.This review is aiming to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview on the recent advancements of azobenzene molecular photoswitch system in STFs fields,including derivatives and carbon nano-templates,which is emphasized for its attractive performance.Although the energy storage performance of Azo-STFs has already reached the level of commercial lithium batteries,the cycling capability and controllable release of energy still need to be further explored.For this,some potential solutions to the cycle performance are proposed,and the methods of azobenzene controllable energy release are summarized.Moreover,energy stored by STFs can be released in the form of mechanical energy,which in turn can also promote the release of thermal energy from STFs,implying that there could be a relationship between mechanical and thermal energy in Azo-STFs,providing a potential direction for further research on Azo-STFs.展开更多
Concentrating solar thermal power system can provide low carbon,renewable energy resources in countries or regions with strong solar irradiation.For this kind of power plant which is likely to be located in the arid a...Concentrating solar thermal power system can provide low carbon,renewable energy resources in countries or regions with strong solar irradiation.For this kind of power plant which is likely to be located in the arid area,natural draft dry cooling tower is a promising choice.To develop the experimental studies on small cooling tower,a 20 m high natural draft dry cooling tower with fully instrumented measurement system was established by the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence.The performance of this cooling tower was measured with the constant heat input of 600 kW and 840 kW and with ambient temperature ranging from 20 ℃ to 32 ℃.The cooling tower numerical model was refined and validated with the experimental data.The model of 1 MW concentrating solar thermal supercritical CO2 power cycle was developed and integrated with the cooling tower model.The influences of changing ambient temperature and the performance of the cooling tower on efficiency of the power system were simulated.The differences of the mechanism of the ambient temperature effect on Rankine cycle and supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle were analysed and discussed.展开更多
Phase change materials(PCMs)offer a promising solution to address the challenges posed by intermittency and fluctuations in solar thermal utilization.However,for organic solid-liquid PCMs,issues such as leakage,low th...Phase change materials(PCMs)offer a promising solution to address the challenges posed by intermittency and fluctuations in solar thermal utilization.However,for organic solid-liquid PCMs,issues such as leakage,low thermal conductivity,lack of efficient solar-thermal media,and flamma-bility have constrained their broad applications.Herein,we present an innova-tive class of versatile composite phase change materials(CPCMs)developed through a facile and environmentally friendly synthesis approach,leveraging the inherent anisotropy and unidirectional porosity of wood aerogel(nanowood)to support polyethylene glycol(PEG).The wood modification process involves the incorporation of phytic acid(PA)and MXene hybrid structure through an evaporation-induced assembly method,which could impart non-leaking PEG filling while concurrently facilitating thermal conduction,light absorption,and flame-retardant.Consequently,the as-prepared wood-based CPCMs showcase enhanced thermal conductivity(0.82 W m^(-1)K^(-1),about 4.6 times than PEG)as well as high latent heat of 135.5 kJ kg^(-1)(91.5%encapsula-tion)with thermal durability and stability throughout at least 200 heating and cooling cycles,featuring dramatic solar-thermal conversion efficiency up to 98.58%.In addition,with the synergistic effect of phytic acid and MXene,the flame-retardant performance of the CPCMs has been significantly enhanced,showing a self-extinguishing behavior.Moreover,the excellent electromagnetic shielding of 44.45 dB was endowed to the CPCMs,relieving contemporary health hazards associated with electromagnetic waves.Overall,we capitalize on the exquisite wood cell structure with unidirectional transport inherent in the development of multifunctional CPCMs,showcasing the operational principle through a proof-of-concept prototype system.展开更多
A single concentrator solar cell model with a heat sink is established to simulate the thermal performance of the system by varying the number, height, and thickness of fins, the base thickness and thermal resistance ...A single concentrator solar cell model with a heat sink is established to simulate the thermal performance of the system by varying the number, height, and thickness of fins, the base thickness and thermal resistance of the thermal conductive adhesive. Influence disciplines of those parameters on temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are obtained. With optimized number, height and thickness of fins, and the thickness values of base of 8, 1.4 cm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm, the lowest temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are 41.7 ~C and 36.3 ~C respectively. A concentrator solar cell prototype with a heat sink fabricated based on the simulation optimized structure is built. Outdoor temperatures of the prototype are tested. Temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are stabilized with time continuing at about 37 ℃-38 ℃ and 35 ℃-36 ℃respectively, slightly lower than the simulation results because of effects of the wind and cloud. Thus the simulation model enables to predict the thermal performance of the system, and the simulation results can be a reference for designing heat sinks in the field of single concentrator solar cells.展开更多
The thermal pyrolysis of natural gas as a clean hydrogen production route is examined. The concept of a double-walled reactor tube is proposed and implemented. Preliminary experiments using an external plasma heating ...The thermal pyrolysis of natural gas as a clean hydrogen production route is examined. The concept of a double-walled reactor tube is proposed and implemented. Preliminary experiments using an external plasma heating source are carried out to validate this concept. The results point out the efficient CH4 dissociation above 1850 K （CH4 conversion over 90%） and the key influence of the gas residence time. Simulations are performed to predict the conversion rate of CH4 at the reactor outlet, and are consistent with experimental tendencies. A solar reactor prototype featuring four independent double-walled tubes is then developed. The heat in high temperature process required for the endothermic reaction of natural gas pyrolysis is supplied by concentrated solar energy. The tubes are heated uniformly by radiation using the blackbody effect of a cavity-receiver absorbing the concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window. The gas composition at the reactor outlet, the chemical conversion of CH4, and the yield to H2 are determined with respect to reaction temperature, inlet gas flow-rates, and feed gas composition. The longer the gas residence time, the higher the CH4 conversion and H2 yield, whereas the lower the amount of acetylene. A CH4 conversion of 99% and H2 yield of about 85% are measured at 1880 K with 30% CH4 in the feed gas （6 L/min injected and residence time of 18 ms）, A temperature increase from 1870 K to 1970 K does not improve the H2 yield.展开更多
In this paper, we investigated the effect of rapid thermal annealing （RTA） on solar cell performance. An opto-electric conversion efficiency of 11.75% （Voc = 0.64 V, Jsc = 25.88 mA/cm2, FF=72.08%） was obtained und...In this paper, we investigated the effect of rapid thermal annealing （RTA） on solar cell performance. An opto-electric conversion efficiency of 11.75% （Voc = 0.64 V, Jsc = 25.88 mA/cm2, FF=72.08%） was obtained under AM 1.5G when the cell was annealed at 300℃ for 30 s. The annealed solar cell showed an average absolute efficiency 1.5% higher than that of the as-deposited one. For the microstructure analysis and the physical phase confirmation, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Raman spectra, front surface reflection （FSR）, internal quantum efficiency （IQE）, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） were respectively applied to distinguish the causes inducing the efficiency variation. All experimental results implied that the RTA eliminated recombination centers at the p-n junction, reduced the surface optical losses, enhanced the blue response of the CdS buffer layer, and improved the ohmic contact between Mo and Cu（In, Ga）Se2 （CIGS） layers. This leaded to the improved performance of CIGS solar cell.展开更多
Highly crystalline and transparent CdS films are grown by utilizing the vacuum thermal evaporation （VTE） method. The structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of the films are studied and compared wi...Highly crystalline and transparent CdS films are grown by utilizing the vacuum thermal evaporation （VTE） method. The structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of the films are studied and compared with those prepared by chemical bath deposition （CBD）. It is found that the films deposited at a high substrate temperature （200 ℃） have a preferential orientation along （002） which is consistent with CBD-grown films. Absorption spectra reveal that the films are highly transparent and the optical band gap values are found to be in a range of 2.44 eV-2.56 eV. Culnl_xGaxSe2 （CIGS） solar cells with in-situ VTE-grown CdS films exhibit higher values of Voc together with smaller values of Jsc than those from CBD. Eventually the conversion efficiency and fill factor become slightly better than those from the CBD method. Our work suggests that the in-situ thermal evaporation method can be a competitive alternative to the CBD method, particularly in the physical- and vacuum-based CIGS technology.展开更多
In this paper, we use a pulsed rapid thermal processing （RTP） approach to create an emitter layer of heterojunction solar cell. The process parameters and crystallization behaviour are studied. The structural, optic...In this paper, we use a pulsed rapid thermal processing （RTP） approach to create an emitter layer of heterojunction solar cell. The process parameters and crystallization behaviour are studied. The structural, optical and electric properties of the crystallized films are also investigated. Both the depth of PN junction and the conductivity of the emitter layer increase with the number of RTP pulses increasing. Simulation results show that efficiencies of such solar cells can exceed 15% with a lower interface recombination rate, but the highest efficiency is 11.65% in our experiments.展开更多
The conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is of great industrial and environmental interest. However, as carbon dioxide is relatively stable, the input energy required for this conversion is a signifi...The conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is of great industrial and environmental interest. However, as carbon dioxide is relatively stable, the input energy required for this conversion is a significant limiting factor in the system's performance. By utilising energy from the sun, through a range of key routes, this limitation can be overcome. In this review, we present a comprehensive and critical overview of the potential routes to harvest the sun's energy, primarily through solar-thermal technologies and plasmonic resonance effects. Focusing on the localised heating approach, this review shortlists and compares viable catalysts for the photo-thermal catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide.Further, the pathways and potential products of different carbon dioxide conversion routes are outlined with the reverse water gas shift,methanation, and methanol synthesis being of key interest. Finally, the challenges in implementing such systems and the outlook to the future are detailed.展开更多
文摘Thermodynamic analysis of the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide alone （＂dry reforming＂） and with carbon dioxide and steam together （＂mixed reforming＂） is performed as part of a project which investigates the suitability of these endothermic reactions for the storage of solar thermal energy. The Gibbs free energy minimization method was employed to identify thermodynamically optimal operating conditions for dry reforming as well as mixed reforming with a desired H2/CO molar ratio of 2. The non-stoichiometric equilibrium model was developed using FactSage software to conduct the thermodynamic calculations for carbon formation, H2/CO ratio, CH4 conversion and H2 yield as a function of reaction temperature, pressure and reactant molar ratios. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that in the mixed reforming process, optimal operating conditions in a carbon-free zone are under H2O/CH4 /CO2 =1.0/1.0/0.5, p = 1 to 10 bar and T = 800 to 850℃ for the production of syngas with a H2 /CO molar ratio of 2. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum H2 yield of 88.0% is achieved at 1 bar and 850℃ with a maximum CH4 conversion of 99.3%. In the dry reforming process, a carbon formation regime is always present at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio of 1 for T = 700 1000℃ and p = 1-30 bar, whereas a carbon-free regime can be obtained at a CO2/CH4 molar ratio greater than 1.5 and T≥800℃.
基金supported by the CSIRO Energy Flagship and the Chinese Scholarship Council
文摘Using solar energy to produce syngas via the endothermic reforming of methane has been extensively inves- tigated at the laboratory- and pilot plant-scales as a promising method of storing solar energy. One of the challenges to scaling up this process in a tubular reformer is to improve the reactor＇s performance, which is limited by mass and heat transfer issues. High thermal conductivity Cu foam was therefore used as a sub-strate to improve the catalyst＇s thermal conductivity during solar reforming. We also developed a method to coat the foam with the catalytically active component NiMg3AlOx. The Cu foam-based NiMg3AlOx performs better than catalysts supported on SiSiC foam, which is currently used as a substrate for solar-reforming cat- alysts, at high gas hourly space velocity （≥400,000 mL/（g.h）） or at low reaction temperatures （≤ 720 ℃）. The presence of a γ-Al2O3 intermediate layer improves the adhesion between the catalyst and substrate as well as the catalytic activity.
基金financially supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51633007 and 52130303)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51803151, 51973152, 51973151 and 51773147)
文摘The energy storage mechanism of azobenzene is based on the transformation of molecular cis and trans isomerization,while NBD/QC,DHA/VHF,and fulvalene dimetal complexes realize the energy storage function by changing the molecular structure.Acting as“molecular batteries,”they can exhibit excellent charging and discharging behavior by converting between trans and cis isomers or changing molecular structure upon absorption of ultraviolet light.Key properties determining the performance of STFs are stored energy,energy density,half-life,and solar energy conversion efficiency.This review is aiming to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview on the recent advancements of azobenzene molecular photoswitch system in STFs fields,including derivatives and carbon nano-templates,which is emphasized for its attractive performance.Although the energy storage performance of Azo-STFs has already reached the level of commercial lithium batteries,the cycling capability and controllable release of energy still need to be further explored.For this,some potential solutions to the cycle performance are proposed,and the methods of azobenzene controllable energy release are summarized.Moreover,energy stored by STFs can be released in the form of mechanical energy,which in turn can also promote the release of thermal energy from STFs,implying that there could be a relationship between mechanical and thermal energy in Azo-STFs,providing a potential direction for further research on Azo-STFs.
文摘Concentrating solar thermal power system can provide low carbon,renewable energy resources in countries or regions with strong solar irradiation.For this kind of power plant which is likely to be located in the arid area,natural draft dry cooling tower is a promising choice.To develop the experimental studies on small cooling tower,a 20 m high natural draft dry cooling tower with fully instrumented measurement system was established by the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence.The performance of this cooling tower was measured with the constant heat input of 600 kW and 840 kW and with ambient temperature ranging from 20 ℃ to 32 ℃.The cooling tower numerical model was refined and validated with the experimental data.The model of 1 MW concentrating solar thermal supercritical CO2 power cycle was developed and integrated with the cooling tower model.The influences of changing ambient temperature and the performance of the cooling tower on efficiency of the power system were simulated.The differences of the mechanism of the ambient temperature effect on Rankine cycle and supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle were analysed and discussed.
基金funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22268025)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(NO.2022MD713757)+2 种基金Yunnan Provincial Postdoctoral Science Foundation(NO.34Y2022)Yunnan Province Joint Special Project for Enterprise Fundamental Research and Applied Basic Research(No.202101BC070001-016)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2023A1515011985).
文摘Phase change materials(PCMs)offer a promising solution to address the challenges posed by intermittency and fluctuations in solar thermal utilization.However,for organic solid-liquid PCMs,issues such as leakage,low thermal conductivity,lack of efficient solar-thermal media,and flamma-bility have constrained their broad applications.Herein,we present an innova-tive class of versatile composite phase change materials(CPCMs)developed through a facile and environmentally friendly synthesis approach,leveraging the inherent anisotropy and unidirectional porosity of wood aerogel(nanowood)to support polyethylene glycol(PEG).The wood modification process involves the incorporation of phytic acid(PA)and MXene hybrid structure through an evaporation-induced assembly method,which could impart non-leaking PEG filling while concurrently facilitating thermal conduction,light absorption,and flame-retardant.Consequently,the as-prepared wood-based CPCMs showcase enhanced thermal conductivity(0.82 W m^(-1)K^(-1),about 4.6 times than PEG)as well as high latent heat of 135.5 kJ kg^(-1)(91.5%encapsula-tion)with thermal durability and stability throughout at least 200 heating and cooling cycles,featuring dramatic solar-thermal conversion efficiency up to 98.58%.In addition,with the synergistic effect of phytic acid and MXene,the flame-retardant performance of the CPCMs has been significantly enhanced,showing a self-extinguishing behavior.Moreover,the excellent electromagnetic shielding of 44.45 dB was endowed to the CPCMs,relieving contemporary health hazards associated with electromagnetic waves.Overall,we capitalize on the exquisite wood cell structure with unidirectional transport inherent in the development of multifunctional CPCMs,showcasing the operational principle through a proof-of-concept prototype system.
基金supported by the Doctoral Initial Fund of Beijing University of Technology,China(Grant No.X0006015201101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.60876006 and 51202007)
文摘A single concentrator solar cell model with a heat sink is established to simulate the thermal performance of the system by varying the number, height, and thickness of fins, the base thickness and thermal resistance of the thermal conductive adhesive. Influence disciplines of those parameters on temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are obtained. With optimized number, height and thickness of fins, and the thickness values of base of 8, 1.4 cm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm, the lowest temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are 41.7 ~C and 36.3 ~C respectively. A concentrator solar cell prototype with a heat sink fabricated based on the simulation optimized structure is built. Outdoor temperatures of the prototype are tested. Temperatures of the solar cell and heat sink are stabilized with time continuing at about 37 ℃-38 ℃ and 35 ℃-36 ℃respectively, slightly lower than the simulation results because of effects of the wind and cloud. Thus the simulation model enables to predict the thermal performance of the system, and the simulation results can be a reference for designing heat sinks in the field of single concentrator solar cells.
基金European FP6 research project SOLHYCARB (Contract SES-CT-2006-19770)
文摘The thermal pyrolysis of natural gas as a clean hydrogen production route is examined. The concept of a double-walled reactor tube is proposed and implemented. Preliminary experiments using an external plasma heating source are carried out to validate this concept. The results point out the efficient CH4 dissociation above 1850 K （CH4 conversion over 90%） and the key influence of the gas residence time. Simulations are performed to predict the conversion rate of CH4 at the reactor outlet, and are consistent with experimental tendencies. A solar reactor prototype featuring four independent double-walled tubes is then developed. The heat in high temperature process required for the endothermic reaction of natural gas pyrolysis is supplied by concentrated solar energy. The tubes are heated uniformly by radiation using the blackbody effect of a cavity-receiver absorbing the concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window. The gas composition at the reactor outlet, the chemical conversion of CH4, and the yield to H2 are determined with respect to reaction temperature, inlet gas flow-rates, and feed gas composition. The longer the gas residence time, the higher the CH4 conversion and H2 yield, whereas the lower the amount of acetylene. A CH4 conversion of 99% and H2 yield of about 85% are measured at 1880 K with 30% CH4 in the feed gas （6 L/min injected and residence time of 18 ms）, A temperature increase from 1870 K to 1970 K does not improve the H2 yield.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60876045)the Shanghai Leading Basic Research Project, China (Grant No. 09JC1405900)+1 种基金the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project, China (Grant No. S30105)the R & D Foundation of SHU-SOENs PV Joint Laboratory, China (Grant No. SS-E0700601)
文摘In this paper, we investigated the effect of rapid thermal annealing （RTA） on solar cell performance. An opto-electric conversion efficiency of 11.75% （Voc = 0.64 V, Jsc = 25.88 mA/cm2, FF=72.08%） was obtained under AM 1.5G when the cell was annealed at 300℃ for 30 s. The annealed solar cell showed an average absolute efficiency 1.5% higher than that of the as-deposited one. For the microstructure analysis and the physical phase confirmation, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Raman spectra, front surface reflection （FSR）, internal quantum efficiency （IQE）, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） were respectively applied to distinguish the causes inducing the efficiency variation. All experimental results implied that the RTA eliminated recombination centers at the p-n junction, reduced the surface optical losses, enhanced the blue response of the CdS buffer layer, and improved the ohmic contact between Mo and Cu（In, Ga）Se2 （CIGS） layers. This leaded to the improved performance of CIGS solar cell.
基金Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (Grant No.13ZR1428200)
文摘Highly crystalline and transparent CdS films are grown by utilizing the vacuum thermal evaporation （VTE） method. The structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of the films are studied and compared with those prepared by chemical bath deposition （CBD）. It is found that the films deposited at a high substrate temperature （200 ℃） have a preferential orientation along （002） which is consistent with CBD-grown films. Absorption spectra reveal that the films are highly transparent and the optical band gap values are found to be in a range of 2.44 eV-2.56 eV. Culnl_xGaxSe2 （CIGS） solar cells with in-situ VTE-grown CdS films exhibit higher values of Voc together with smaller values of Jsc than those from CBD. Eventually the conversion efficiency and fill factor become slightly better than those from the CBD method. Our work suggests that the in-situ thermal evaporation method can be a competitive alternative to the CBD method, particularly in the physical- and vacuum-based CIGS technology.
文摘In this paper, we use a pulsed rapid thermal processing （RTP） approach to create an emitter layer of heterojunction solar cell. The process parameters and crystallization behaviour are studied. The structural, optical and electric properties of the crystallized films are also investigated. Both the depth of PN junction and the conductivity of the emitter layer increase with the number of RTP pulses increasing. Simulation results show that efficiencies of such solar cells can exceed 15% with a lower interface recombination rate, but the highest efficiency is 11.65% in our experiments.
文摘The conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is of great industrial and environmental interest. However, as carbon dioxide is relatively stable, the input energy required for this conversion is a significant limiting factor in the system's performance. By utilising energy from the sun, through a range of key routes, this limitation can be overcome. In this review, we present a comprehensive and critical overview of the potential routes to harvest the sun's energy, primarily through solar-thermal technologies and plasmonic resonance effects. Focusing on the localised heating approach, this review shortlists and compares viable catalysts for the photo-thermal catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide.Further, the pathways and potential products of different carbon dioxide conversion routes are outlined with the reverse water gas shift,methanation, and methanol synthesis being of key interest. Finally, the challenges in implementing such systems and the outlook to the future are detailed.
