Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods to effectively convert carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons by electrochemical and/or photoelectrochemical methods. In one embodiment, a photoelectro-chemical cell may include an anode, a cathode comprising a carbon material, wherein the carbon material is surface functionalized with at least one poly(ionic) liquid, and wherein at least one metallic nanoparticle is disposed on the functionalized carbon material surface, and an energy source configured to irradiate the anode.