Reinforcing the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 conversion with H2O vapor through the integration of photothermal Cu/C@Bi/C supported on 3D g-C3N4 under full-spectrum solar irradiation

Abstract

Developing an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 conversion to chemical fuels that maximizes the utilization of solar energy, particularly near-infrared light, remains a persistent challenge. Meanwhile, it is difficult to suppress the H2 evolution during the photocatalytic process. Herein, Cu/C@Bi/C grafted on the surface of 3D g-C3N4 (NCN) can serve as a highly durable and active catalyst for photothermal synergistic catalytic CO2 reduction under full-spectrum solar irradiation in solid-liquid-gas three-phase interfaces, wherein the Cu/C@Bi/C serves as a harvesting-near-infrared light nanoreactor and an electron transport bridge for the enhancement of the interface local temperature and the efficient transfer of photoinduced electrons. As a result, the hybrid catalyst shows excellent photothermal catalytic activity of CO2 to CO (169.26 μmol·g−1·h−1) and CO2 to CH4 (1.94 μmol·g−1·h−1), outperforming the majority of the conventional photocatalysts, whereas the competitive reaction of H2 evolution can be inhibited. This study presents a feasible approach for the efficient utilization of solar energy by harnessing near-infrared light through nano-reactors, thereby providing a viable strategy for photothermal catalytic CO2 reduction.