Boron-doped CN supported metallic Co catalysts with interfacial electron transfer for enhanced photothermal CO hydrogenation

Abstract

Solar-driven Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a promising route to produce solar fuels of value-added hydrocarbons. Herein, an approach of boron doping in CN support to modulate the interfacial electronic structure of Co–BCN catalysts is developed to promote the yield of hydrocarbon products in photothermal FTS. Under light irradiation, the optimized Co–BCN catalyst delivers a hydrocarbon selectivity of 96.9 % at a CO conversion over 40 %, which is 4.3 and 10.2 times that of Co–CN and Co–C catalysts, respectively. Detailed characterizations demonstrate that the electron transfer between Co nano-metal and BCN support, where electronic structure at interface is modulated. The formation of electron-rich interface in Co–BCN could promote CO activation with assistance of H* and thus enhance the conversion of CO. This work not only paves the way for the modulation of interface electrons to enhance photothermocatalytic activity but also offers a promising strategy toward the rational design and preparation of highly efficient catalysts.