P25@CoAl layered double hydroxide heterojunction nanocomposites for CO₂ photocatalytic reduction

TY - JOUR

T1 - P25@CoAl layered double hydroxide heterojunction nanocomposites for CO2 photocatalytic reduction

AU - Kumar, Santosh

AU - Isaacs, Mark A.

AU - Trofimovaite, Rima

AU - Durndell, Lee

AU - Parlett, Christopher M A

AU - Douthwaite, Richard E.

AU - Coulson, Ben

AU - Cockett, Martin C R

AU - Wilson, Karen

AU - Lee, Adam F.

N1 - © 2017 The Authors.

PY - 2017/7/15

Y1 - 2017/7/15

N2 - Artificial photosynthesis driven by inorganic photocatalysts offers a promising route to renewable solar fuels, however efficient CO2 photoreduction remains a challenge. A family of hierarchical nanocomposites, comprising P25 nanoparticles encapsulated within microporous CoAl-layered double hydroxides (CoAl-LDHs) were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. Heterojunction formation between the visible light absorbing CoAl-LDH and UV light absorbing P25 semiconductors extends utilisation of the solar spectrum, while the solid basicity of the CoAl-LDH increases CO2 availability at photocatalytic surfaces. Matching of the semiconductor band structures and strong donor–acceptor coupling improves photoinduced charge carrier separation and transfer via the heterojunction. Hierarchical P25@CoAl-LDH nanocomposites exhibit good activity and selectivity (>90%) for aqueous CO2 photoreduction to CO, without a sacrificial hole acceptor. This represents a facile and cost-effective strategy for the design and development of LDH-based nanomaterials for efficient photocatalysis for renewable solar fuel production from particularly CO2 and water.

AB - Artificial photosynthesis driven by inorganic photocatalysts offers a promising route to renewable solar fuels, however efficient CO2 photoreduction remains a challenge. A family of hierarchical nanocomposites, comprising P25 nanoparticles encapsulated within microporous CoAl-layered double hydroxides (CoAl-LDHs) were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. Heterojunction formation between the visible light absorbing CoAl-LDH and UV light absorbing P25 semiconductors extends utilisation of the solar spectrum, while the solid basicity of the CoAl-LDH increases CO2 availability at photocatalytic surfaces. Matching of the semiconductor band structures and strong donor–acceptor coupling improves photoinduced charge carrier separation and transfer via the heterojunction. Hierarchical P25@CoAl-LDH nanocomposites exhibit good activity and selectivity (>90%) for aqueous CO2 photoreduction to CO, without a sacrificial hole acceptor. This represents a facile and cost-effective strategy for the design and development of LDH-based nanomaterials for efficient photocatalysis for renewable solar fuel production from particularly CO2 and water.

KW - CO

KW - Layered double hydroxide

KW - Nanocomposite

KW - Photocatalysis

KW - Titania

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85014913441&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.03.006

DO - 10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.03.006

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85014913441

SN - 0926-3373

VL - 209

SP - 394

EP - 404

JO - APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL

JF - APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL

ER -