Boosting thermo-photocatalytic CO2 conversion activity by using photosynthesis-inspired electron-proton-transfer mediators

Yingxuan Li (), Danping Hui, Yuqing Sun, Ying Wang (), Zhijian Wu, Chuanyi Wang and Jincai Zhao
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Yingxuan Li: Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Danping Hui: Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Yuqing Sun: Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Ying Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhijian Wu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuanyi Wang: Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
Jincai Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Natural photosynthesis proceeded by sequential water splitting and CO2 reduction reactions is an efficient strategy for CO2 conversion. Here, mimicking photosynthesis to boost CO2-to-CO conversion is achieved by using plasmonic Bi as an electron-proton-transfer mediator. Electroreduction of H2O with a Bi electrode simultaneously produces O2 and hydrogen-stored Bi (Bi-Hx). The obtained Bi-Hx is subsequently used to generate electron-proton pairs under light irradiation to reduce CO2 to CO; meanwhile, Bi-Hx recovers to Bi, completing the catalytic cycle. This two-step strategy avoids O2 separation and enables a CO production efficiency of 283.8 μmol g−1 h−1 without sacrificial reagents and cocatalysts, which is 9 times that on pristine Bi in H2 gas. Theoretical/experimental studies confirm that such excellent activity is attributed to the formed Bi-Hx intermediate that improves charge separation and reduces reaction barriers in CO2 reduction.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20444-1

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