Dual photocatalysis for CO2 reduction along with the oxidative coupling of benzylamines promoted by Cu/Cu2O@g-C3N4 under visible irradiation. Issue 12 (26th May 2022) - Prajapati, Pankaj Kumar
Abstract : A novel twin functional photocatalytic approach in which CO2 acted as a soft oxidant and facilitated oxidation of amines to imines along with the simultaneous reduction to methanol is described. Abstract : The present work describes the twin functional photocatalysis promoted by a Cu/Cu2 O decorated g-C3 N4 heterojunction where the electrons at the Cu/Cu2 O surface reduced CO2 to methanol selectively and holes facilitated oxidative coupling of benzylamines without any external sacrificial electron donors under ambient conditions. The heterojunction photocatalyst was prepared by refluxing g-C3 N4 with copper precursors at 70 °C. The structural and morphological properties of the heterojunction were determined using XRD, FTIR, XPS, UV-vis, HR-TEM and PL spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical measurements determined the electronic and photoactive properties. Following this twin strategy of CO2 utilization along with the oxidation of organic compounds into other valuable chemicals in a single process may provide new opportunities for sustainable development and maintain the atom economy.