Abstract

BackgroundSolar-driven photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to fuels and chemicals with added value has attracted intense attention. MethodsHere, the Sm3+/Tm3+ co-doped BiVO4 micro-squares were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The prepared samples were characterized by some physicochemical methods such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV–Vis DRS, EPR, N2 physisorption -desorption and electrochemical analysis. The CO2 reduction ability of the catalysts with different rare earth content was evaluated under xenon lamp irradiation. Significant findingsWe found that BiVO4 photocatalyst co-doped with 10%Sm and 10%Tm (mole percent) showed the remarkable photocatalytic activity for CO and CH4 production. The CO production rate over 10%Sm/10%Tm/BiVO4 was around 5 times higher than that of pure BiVO4 and single rare earth doped BiVO4. The enhanced activity can be attributed that the Sm3+/Tm3+ co-doping reduced the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes, provides additional light absorption and more active sites for CO2 reduction.

Full Text
Paper version not known

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.