Abstract
Currently, the production of solar fuels by the photoreduction of CO2 with H2O is limited by the slow reaction rate and low efficiency of solar energy conversion. Combining concentrated solar power and plasmonic nanomaterials is a promising strategy to enhance photothermal transformation and promote solar-to-fuel conversion. Herein, a nanocatalyst comprising gold anchored on TiO2 was fabricated using a regular deposition-precipitation method. The nanocatalyst showed improved performance in CO2 reduction with H2O under concentrated full-spectrum irradiation owing to the coupling of photo- and thermal energies. Macroscopic experiments demonstrated a clear correlation between the light intensity and the syngas yield, and a CO2 conversion rate of 6.35% was achieved after 3 h under simulated sunlight illumination of 1644 mW/cm2. Photoelectrochemical measurements and finite element method simulations indicated that Au/TiO2 achieved better separation and transport of the photoexcited carriers than TiO2 owing to localized surface plasmon resonance that heats the nanocatalysts under concentrated full-spectrum irradiation. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis also suggested that the photothermal effect accelerates the formation of intermediates such as formate and acetate and therefore enhances the overall photocatalytic rate. These results highlight the excellent potential of combining concentrated solar power and plasmonic nanostructures to realize the synergistic utilization of photon energy and thermal energy. Such a combination not only promotes the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency but also paves the way for future applications in large-scale scenarios.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
