CuO/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocathode enhances the microbial electrosynthesis of acetate through CO2 reduction

α-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocathode to Enhance Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from CO2

“…The H 2 yield of α-Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 was also nearly 10× that of CF. The H 2 production of α-Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 (−0.9 V, 0.41 m 3 /m 3 /day) was significantly higher than that of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 (−1.05 V, 0.24 m 3 /m 3 /day) in previous reports . Compared with the type I heterojunction of CuO/g-C 3 N 4 , the Z-scheme heterojunctions of α-Fe 2 O 3 and g-C 3 N 4 were more conducive to H 2 evolution.…”

“…The photogenerated holes no longer drove more electrons to the cathode due to the addition of KI, resulting in low hydrogen production. Compared with the type I heterojunction photocatalysts CuO/g-C 3 N 4 and CuO/g-C 3 N 4 /rGO in the MES with mixed culture, , α-Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 exhibited a larger decrease in current and H 2 yield after adding KI. The introduction of α-Fe 2 O 3 made the VB state more positive, making inducing electron transfer from the anode easier for the photogenerated holes.…”

“…Briefly, α-Fe 2 O 3 was obtained using a solvothermal method. Subsequently, g-C 3 N 4 was synthesized by a calcination method as previously reported . Before the synthesis of α-Fe 2 O 3 /g-C 3 N 4 , g-C 3 N 4 was acidified with acetic acid and washed two times with deionized water and ethanol.…”

“…Compared with pure culture, mixed culture shows stronger catalytic activity and higher resistance to environmental factors and product accumulation; thus, mixed culture is suitable for MES with a photocathode in a long-time operation, improving chemical formation from CO 2 reduction. In our previous study, CuO/g-C 3 N 4 combined with mixed culture improved acetate production in MES by enhancing electron transport rates . In photocatalytic MES, photogenerated electrons are transferred to electroautotrophic microbes for CO 2 reduction in an anaerobic environment.…”

Microbial electrosynthesis: carbonaceous electrode materials for CO2 conversion

“…The photo-corrosion of Ag3PO4 was prevented well by g-C3N4, enabling effective acetate synthesis from HCO3in a photo-assisted MES. CuO/g-C3N4 modified CF was utilized as a photocathode for the MES chemical production from CO283 . MES performance was greatly improved by the CuO/g-C3N4 heterojunction.…”