Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into chemicals using Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide combined with Pt-modified TiO2 nanotubes.
The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of CO2 into high-value chemicals is beneficial in alleviating global warming and advancing a low-carbon economy. In this work, Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide (Pt-RGO) and Pt-modified TiO2 nanotubes (Pt-TNT) were combined as cathode and photoanode catalysts, respectively, to form a PEC reactor for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals. XRD, XPS, TEM, AFM, and SEM were employed to characterize the microstructures of the Pt-RGO and Pt-TNT catalysts. Reduction products, such as C2H5OH and CH3COOH, were obtained from CO2 under band gap illumination and biased voltage. A combined liquid product generation rate (CH3OH, C2H5OH, HCOOH, and CH3COOH) of approximately 600 nmol/(h·cm(2)) was observed. Carbon atom conversion rate reached 1,130 nmol/(h·cm(2)), which were much higher than those achieved using Pt-modified carbon nanotubes and platinum carbon as cathode catalysts.
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
Jun
J
Cheng
Meng
M
Zhang
Gai
G
Wu
Xin
X
Wang
Junhu
J
Zhou
Kefa
K
Cen
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C009495:titanium dioxide; D010984:Platinum; D006108:Graphite; D014025:Titanium