Efficient capture and conversion of low-concentration CO 2 from industrial flue gas into high-value chemicals is one of the key challenges for achieving carbon reduction and resource utilization. In this work, an amino-functionalization strategy was innovatively employed to successfully graft tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) onto the surface of the layered bismuth-based photocatalyst Bi 4 NbO 8 Cl (BNOC), constructing a novel photocatalytic system with dual Lewis acid–base sites (BNOC-TEPAx). Under visible light and even natural sunlight, this catalyst can directly convert CO 2 at a concentration of only 15% in simulated industrial flue gas into high-value cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions. Experimental results and DFT calculations collectively indicate that the terminal primary amines provided by TEPA serve as Lewis base sites, significantly enhancing CO 2 adsorption and activation, while the abundant coordinative Bi sites in BNOC act as Lewis acid centers, effectively promoting epoxide activation. Moreover, the Bi–N coordination-induced interfacial polarization field greatly improves the separation and migration efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. In outdoor experiments scaled up by a factor of 100, BNOC-TEPA 30 achieved a production rate of 4.45 mmol·g ‒1 ·h ‒1 under natural sunlight and flowing simulated flue gas, demonstrating promising industrial application potential. This study provides a new catalyst design strategy for the integrated “capture–conversion” of low-concentration industrial flue gas CO 2 .
The work titled “ Outdoor Sunlight Driven CO 2 Capture and Cycloaddition from Flowing Simulated Industrial Flue Gas Using Amino Functionalized Bismuth Catalysts ”, was published in Advanced Powder Materials (Available online on 28 January 2026).
Advanced Powder Materials
Experimental study
Not applicable
Outdoor sunlight driven CO2 capture and cycloaddition from flowing simulated industrial flue gas using amino functionalized bismuth catalysts
28-Jan-2026