Piezo-photocatalysis for efficient charge separation to promote CO2 photoreduction in nanoclusters

• Published in: Ultrasonics sonochemistry Vol. 101; p. 106653
• Main Authors: Zhu, Xingwang, Xu, Hangmin, Bi, Chuanzhou, Song, Hao, Zhou, Ganghua, Zhong, Kang, Yang, Jinman, Yi, Jianjian, Xu, Hui, Wang, Xiaozhi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Au25 nanoclusters; CO2 reduction; Electric field; Original; Photocatalytic; Piezo-catalysis; Photocatalytic; Electric field; Piezo-catalysis; CO2 reduction; Au25 nanoclusters
• ISSN: 1350-4177; 1873-2828; 1873-2828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106653

In the presence of the polarized field, photogenerated electrons directly migrate from red graphitic carbon nitride to Au25 nanoclusters, thus facilitating their participation in CO2 reduction. [Display omitted] •The polarized field can directly separate photogenerated carriers.•Ultra-small size Au25 NCs shorten the migration distance of electrons.•Electrons accumulate on Au25 NCs as active sites for CO2 reduction. The substantial emissions of CO2 greenhouse gases have resulted in severe environmental problems, and research on the implementation of semiconductor materials to minimize CO2 is currently a highly discussed subject. Effective separation of interface charges is a major challenge for efficient piezo-photocatalytic systems. Meanwhile, the ultrasmall-sized metal nanoclusters can shorten the distance of electron transport. Herein, we synthesized Au25(p-MBA)18 nanoclusters (Au25 NCs) modified red graphitic carbon nitride (RCN) nanocatalysts with highly exposed Au active sites by in-situ seed growth method. The loading of Au25 NCs on the RCN surface provides more active sites and creates a long-range ordered electric field. It allows for the direct utilization of the piezoelectric field to separate photogenerated carriers during photo-piezoelectric excitation. Based on the above advantages, the rate of CO2 reduction to CO over Au25 NCs/RCN (111.95 μmol g-1 h-1) was more than triple compared to that of pristine RCN. This paper has positive implication for further application of metal clusters loaded semiconductor for piezo-photocatalytic CO2 reduction.