Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Unlike the well‐known charge‐carrier kinetics in traditional photocatalysis, a knowledge gap remains regarding the photo‐kinetic effects in heterogeneous photothermal catalysis. Conventionally, light is mainly regarded as a source of charge carriers and localized heating, yet how these light‐induced effects alter intrinsic reaction kinetics, particularly the rate‐determining step (RDS), remains unclear. Here, we provide direct kinetic evidence that illumination tunes the RDS in an archetypal Mars‐van Krevelen (MvK) reverse water‐gas shift (RWGS) reaction over In‐doped MoO 2 . Under illumination, photogenerated electrons enrich In sites, promoting H 2 activation and spillover while accelerating H 2 O desorption, thereby shifting the RDS from the H 2 ‐reduction half‐reaction to the CO 2 ‐oxidation half‐reaction. This kinetic modulation significantly enhances catalytic performance and lowers the apparent activation energy. Overall, this work elucidates the kinetic role of light in photothermal CO 2 conversion, offering new insights into optimizing solar‐driven catalytic processes.
DOI: 10.1002/anie.4338333
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,510
Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Shenzhen City, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Guangdong Science and Technology Department, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Eco-materials and Renewable Energy
OpenAlex ID: W7204869426