Experimental and calculation investigations of the photocatalytic selective and performance for CO2 reduction by cobalt-doped Bi4O5Br2 nanosheets

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This study delves into the photocatalytic process of an innovative Co-doped Bi4O5Br2 material synthesized through a straightforward process. Experimental and theoretical findings corroborate that cobalt doping remarkably enhances the CO2 reduction capability of Bi4O5Br2 catalysts under visible light. Findings indicate that Co-doped Bi4O5Br2 exhibits substantial advantages over its pristine counterpart in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Notably, the catalyst with 4 at.% Co doping demonstrates the highest photocatalytic CO2 reduction efficiency, achieving CO and methane production activities of up to 9.46 and 0.20 μmol/g/h, respectively. Furthermore, the low activation energy for CO2 reduction in Co-doped Bi4O5Br2, as indicated by reaction pathways calculations, facilitates the process. Detailed experimental results reveal that Co incorporation does not alter the surface morphology or the crystalline phase of the photocatalyst. The superior efficiency of Co-doped Bi4O5Br2 is attributed to multiple factors: a narrow band gap, expanded visible light absorption spectrum, greater absorption intensity within the visible range, and enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes compared to pristine Bi4O5Br2. This highlights the practical application of Co-doped Bi4O5Br2 for enhancing photocatalytic performance, supporting future advancements in solar energy utilization and the creation of high-value chemical products.