Photoreduction of CO2 on ZIF-8/TiO2 nanocomposites in a gaseous photoreactor under pressure swing

•A new type of ZIF-8/TiO2 core-shell nanocomposite is designed to facilitate not only CO2 adsorption but also its subsequent photoreduction.•Sequential fluctuation of reactor pressure plays an important role in promoting product desorption and increasing photocatalyst activity.•This study highlights the significance of engineering variables including mass transfer and reactor design in photocatalytic reactions.