Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Paraffin Using p-n Heterojunctions

• Published in: iScience Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 100768
• Main Authors: Wang, Jinyuan, Guan, Yongji, Yu, Xiaogang, Cao, Youzhi, Chen, Jiazang, Wang, Yilin, Hu, Bin, Jing, Huanwang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 24.01.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Catalysis; Electrochemical Materials Science; Materials Design; Materials Design; Catalysis; Electrochemical Materials Science
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.100768

Nowadays, photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of CO2 represents a very promising solution for storing solar energy in value-added chemicals, but so far it has been hampered by the lack of highly efficient catalyst of photocathode. Enlightened by the Calvin cycle of plants, here we show that a series of three-dimensional C/N-doped heterojunctions of Znx:Coy@Cu are successfully fabricated and applied as photocathodes in the PEC reduction of CO2 to generate paraffin product. These materials integrate semiconductors of p-type Co3O4 and n-type ZnO on Cu foam to construct fine heterojunctions with multiple active sites, which result in excellent C-C coupling control in reduction of CO2. The best catalyst of Zn0.2:Co1@Cu yields paraffin at a rate of 325 μg·h−1 under −0.4 V versus saturated calomel electrode without H2 release. The apparent quantum efficiency of PEC cell is up to 1.95%. [Display omitted] •Heterojunctions of Znx:Coy@Cu are applied in photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2•Multiple active sites result in excellent C-C coupling like natural photosynthesis•Photoelectrocatalytic system can tolerate the higher voltage without H2 emission•Paraffin product is reported for the first time in CO2 reduction Catalysis; Electrochemical Materials Science; Materials Design