Enhanced CO₂ Reduction Performance of BiCuSeO‐Based Hybrid Catalysts by Synergetic Photo‐Thermoelectric Effect

Abstract

Gaseous CO 2 reduction driven by solar energy is a promising solution to the current energy crisis and environmental problems. Although thermocatalysts, electrocatalysts, and photocatalysts are developed as classical strategies for CO 2 reduction, it remains a challenge for high efficiency and CO 2 net reduction during this process. Here, a multi-field driven hybrid catalyst, Pt/ZnO nanorod arrays/Bi 1-x Er x CuSeO, is designed using the photothermoelectric effect, which can take advantage of both photocatalysis and thermocatalysis. The results indicate that the maximum CO production rate of 2.91 µmol g -1 h -1 at 423 K can be realized in such Pt/ZnONR/ Bi 0.9 Er 0.1 CuSeO hybrid catalyst, as can be ascribed to a synergetic photothermoelectric effect (i.e., light irradiation can provide heat, photo-excited carriers, and the concomitant Seebeck voltage). The band alignment of ZnO/BiCuSeO heterojunction and carriers transport are proposed to be optimized by the Er doped BiCuSeO thermoelectric supports, greatly enhancing the catalytic performance. The application of thermoelectric support could be promising in the structure design of multi-field driven hybrid catalysts, and such a photo-thermoelectric catalytic process demonstrates a desirable way of solar energy utilization in CO 2 transformation.

Thermoelectric properties of layered oxyselenides with 3d transition metal ions

“…The oxide layers are varied with first transition metal (Sc, 2–5 Mn, 6–11 Fe, 12–15 Co, 7,9,11,16 Ni, 17,18 Cu, 10,19,20 Zn 10,21,22 ), rare earth, 23–29 and main group elements(IIA, 18 IIIA, 30 or VA 31 elements). The unique electric and magnetic properties from various oxide layers make layered oxychalcogenides protentional application in catalysis, 32,33 , magnetics, 7 superconductivity, 19,34 luminescence, 2–4,23 and thermoelectricity 24,26,35–37 . Compared to oxytellurides with expensive and toxic tellurium, oxyselenides are cleaner, and they are easier to synthesis than oxysulfide.…”

“…1 The oxide layers are varied with first transition metal (Sc, [2][3][4][5] Mn, [6][7][8][9][10][11] Fe, [12][13][14][15] Co, 7,9,11,16 Ni, 17,18 Cu, 10,19,20 Zn 10,21,22 ), rare earth, [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and main group elements(IIA, 18 IIIA, 30 or VA 31 elements). The unique electric and magnetic properties from various oxide layers make layered oxychalcogenides protentional application in catalysis, 32,33 , magnetics, 7 superconductivity, 19,34 luminescence, [2][3][4]23 and thermoelectricity. 24,26,[35]…”

Recent Progress in Metal Oxide-Based Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction to Solar Fuels: A Review

“…The transformation of CO 2 can be driven by illumination, electricity and heat [ 3 ]. Solar energy is a safe, clean, renewable and inexhaustible energy source, so it is ingenious to achieve this conversion with sunlight [ 4 ]. Additionally, the reaction conditions in photocatalytic processes are mild [ 5 ]; thus, it is easy to conduct experimental tests.…”

Oxynitride-surface engineering of rhodium-decorated gallium nitride for efficient thermocatalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide

“…The trillions of tons of anthropogenic CO 2 emitted into the atmosphere appear as one of the most significant concerns in the 21st century 1 – 4 . It is highly urgent to address this critical issue at the lowest expense.…”