Fabrication of CuS-modified inverse opal g-C3N4 photocatalyst with enhanced performance of photocatalytic reduction of CO2. Issue 54 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Xiaoyue; Hu, Yan; Zhou, Liang; Lei, Juying; Wang, Lingzhi; Zhang, Jinlong
• Is Part Of: Journal of CO₂ utilization. Issue 54(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: g-C3N4 -- CuS -- Photocatalyst -- Reduction of CO2 -- Inverse opal; Carbon dioxide -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide -- Environmental aspects; Carbon dioxide mitigation; Periodicals; 628.53205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2021.101779
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-9820

Abstract

Highlights: A new type of CuS-loaded inverse opal g-C3 N4 photocatalyst was fabricated. The prepared composites showed better performance of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 . The optimal CuS loading was 2 wt%, and the corresponding CO production rate was 13.24 μmol g −1 h −1, which was 3.2 times that of IO CN and 5 times that of Bulk CN. The direct photo-induced interfacial charge transfer mechanism is proposed to explain the photogenerated electron transfer path. The improvement of performance is mainly attributed to the combination of inverse opal structure and CuS as cocatalyst. Abstract: As a greenhouse gas, CO2 is also a rich carbon resource. Using sunlight to reduce CO2 to usable substances through photocatalysis can alleviate the greenhouse effect and realize energy recycling. Herein, CuS nanoparticles are grown in situ on the surface of inverse opal g-C3 N4 by a one-step hydrothermal method. The inverse opal structure can increase the specific surface area of the material, and CuS can be used as the cocatalyst to accept photo-generated electrons on the conduction band of g-C3 N4, thereby promoting the separation and transfer of photo-generated charges. And the interfacial charge transfer mechanism of CuS further improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 activity of the prepared catalyst is greatly improved. The CO yield reaches 13.24 μmol g −1 h −1 . A new strategy is provided to develop artificial photosynthesis for reduction of CO2 .