Researchers have demonstrated a bias-free photoelectrochemical platform that co-produces formate from CO2 and biomass-derived plastic precursors using only sunlight. The system uses a Co3O4/WO3/g-C3N4 photoanode to oxidize a biomass molecule with 95% Faradaic efficiency, while a tin nanoparticle cathode reduces CO2 to formate with 93% efficiency. The work relies on earth-abundant materials and scalable electrode architectures. A life cycle assessment shows the CO2-to-formate pathway has low greenhouse gas emissions and low water consumption. By directly coupling CO2 reduction with upgrading biomass-derived furanics into polymer intermediates, this method offers a practical strategy for solar-driven carbon utilization and sustainable plastic precursor synthesis without external electrical bias.
