Binary molecular-semiconductor p–n junctions for photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Shan, Bing; Vanka, Srinivas; Li, Tingting; Troian‐Gautier, Ludovic; Brennaman, M. Kyle; Mi, Zetian; Meyer, Thomas J.

doi:10.1038/s41560-019-0345-y

“…binary copper−iron catalyst | CO 2 reduction | methane | photoelectrocatalysis T he production of clean solar fuels from carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water via photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) provides a promising route for alleviating our society's reliance on fossil fuels and reducing atmospheric carbon emissions (1)(2)(3)(4). A rational design of an electrocatalyst is the key for achieving high performance of CO 2 reduction reactions (CO 2 RR) (5)(6)(7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Highly efficient binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction toward methane

Zhou

¹

,

Ou

²

,

Pant

³

et al. 2020

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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A rational design of an electrocatalyst presents a promising avenue for solar fuels synthesis from carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation but is extremely challenging. Herein, we use density functional theory calculations to study an inexpensive binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction toward methane. The calculations of reaction energetics suggest that Cu and Fe in the binary system can work in synergy to significantly deform the linear configuration of CO2 and reduce the high energy barrier by stabilizing the reaction intermediates, thus spontaneously favoring CO2 activation and conversion for methane synthesis. Experimentally, the designed CuFe catalyst exhibits a high current density of −38.3 mA⋅cm−2 using industry-ready silicon photoelectrodes with an impressive methane Faradaic efficiency of up to 51%, leading to a distinct turnover frequency of 2,176 h−1 under air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5G) one-sun illumination.

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“…[1] Among the proposed CO 2 fixation strategies,s olar-driven photocatalytic CO 2 reduction is promising for generating valuable carbon fuels, [2,3] which thus can simultaneously alleviate climate changes and provide renewable energy.I ndeed, there has been notable progress for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction during the past several decades. [4][5][6][7][8] However,t he design and construction of efficient photocatalytic materials made of affordable elements are still highly desirable to achieve the goal of artificial photosynthesis for sustained solar-to-carbon fuel conversion.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

Wang

¹

,

Wang

²

,

Lou

³

2019

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Materials for high‐efficiency photocatalytic CO2 reduction are desirable for solar‐to‐carbon fuel conversion. Herein, highly dispersed nickel cobalt oxyphosphide nanoparticles (NiCoOP NPs) were confined in multichannel hollow carbon fibers (MHCFs) to construct the NiCoOP‐NPs@MHCFs catalysts for efficient CO2 photoreduction. The synthesis involves electrospinning, phosphidation, and carbonization steps and permits facile tuning of chemical composition. In the catalyst, the mixed metal oxyphosphide NPs with ultrasmall size and high dispersion offer abundant catalytically active sites for redox reactions. At the same time, the multichannel hollow carbon matrix with high conductivity and open ends will effectively promote mass/charge transfer, improve CO2 adsorption, and prevent the metal oxyphosphide NPs from aggregation. The optimized hetero‐metal oxyphosphide catalyst exhibits considerable activity for photosensitized CO2 reduction, affording a high CO evolution rate of 16.6 μmol h−1 (per 0.1 mg of catalyst).

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“…Among the proposed CO 2 fixation strategies, solar‐driven photocatalytic CO 2 reduction is promising for generating valuable carbon fuels, which thus can simultaneously alleviate climate changes and provide renewable energy. Indeed, there has been notable progress for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction during the past several decades . However, the design and construction of efficient photocatalytic materials made of affordable elements are still highly desirable to achieve the goal of artificial photosynthesis for sustained solar‐to‐carbon fuel conversion.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

Wang

¹

,

Wang

²

,

Lou

³

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Materials for high‐efficiency photocatalytic CO2 reduction are desirable for solar‐to‐carbon fuel conversion. Herein, highly dispersed nickel cobalt oxyphosphide nanoparticles (NiCoOP NPs) were confined in multichannel hollow carbon fibers (MHCFs) to construct the NiCoOP‐NPs@MHCFs catalysts for efficient CO2 photoreduction. The synthesis involves electrospinning, phosphidation, and carbonization steps and permits facile tuning of chemical composition. In the catalyst, the mixed metal oxyphosphide NPs with ultrasmall size and high dispersion offer abundant catalytically active sites for redox reactions. At the same time, the multichannel hollow carbon matrix with high conductivity and open ends will effectively promote mass/charge transfer, improve CO2 adsorption, and prevent the metal oxyphosphide NPs from aggregation. The optimized hetero‐metal oxyphosphide catalyst exhibits considerable activity for photosensitized CO2 reduction, affording a high CO evolution rate of 16.6 μmol h−1 (per 0.1 mg of catalyst).

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Binary molecular-semiconductor p–n junctions for photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Cited by 181 publications

References 50 publications

Highly efficient binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction toward methane

Highly efficient binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction toward methane

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

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Binary molecular-semiconductor p–n junctions for photoelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction

Cited by 181 publications

References 50 publications

Highly efficient binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction toward methane

Highly efficient binary copper−iron catalyst for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction toward methane

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction

Dispersed Nickel Cobalt Oxyphosphide Nanoparticles Confined in Multichannel Hollow Carbon Fibers for Photocatalytic CO₂ Reduction