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Photothermal CO2 conversion to ethanol through photothermal heterojunction-nanosheet arrays

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaodong Li

    (Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics)

  • Li Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xingyuan Chu

    (Dresden University of Technology)

  • Xiaohui Liu

    (Dresden University of Technology)

  • Guangbo Chen

    (Dresden University of Technology)

  • Quanquan Guo

    (Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics)

  • Zhen Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Mingchao Wang

    (Dresden University of Technology)

  • Shuming Wang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Alexander Tahn

    (Dresden University of Technology)

  • Yongfu Sun

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xinliang Feng

    (Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
    Dresden University of Technology)

Abstract

Photothermal CO2 conversion to ethanol offers a sustainable solution for achieving net-zero carbon management. However, serious carrier recombination and high C-C coupling energy barrier cause poor performance in ethanol generation. Here, we report a Cu/Cu2Se-Cu2O heterojunction-nanosheet array, showcasing a good ethanol yield under visible–near-infrared light without external heating. The Z-scheme Cu2Se-Cu2O heterostructure provides spatially separated sites for CO2 reduction and water oxidation with boosted carrier transport efficiency. The microreactors induced by Cu2Se nanosheets improve the local concentration of intermediates (CH3* and CO*), thereby promoting C-C coupling process. Photothermal effect of Cu2Se nanosheets elevates system’s temperature to around 200 °C. Through synergizing electron and heat flows, we achieve an ethanol generation rate of 149.45 µmol g−1 h−1, with an electron selectivity of 48.75% and an apparent quantum yield of 0.286%. Our work can serve as inspiration for developing photothermal catalysts for CO2 conversion into multi-carbon chemicals using solar energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaodong Li & Li Li & Xingyuan Chu & Xiaohui Liu & Guangbo Chen & Quanquan Guo & Zhen Zhang & Mingchao Wang & Shuming Wang & Alexander Tahn & Yongfu Sun & Xinliang Feng, 2024. "Photothermal CO2 conversion to ethanol through photothermal heterojunction-nanosheet arrays," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49928-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49928-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiaodong Li & Li Li & Guangbo Chen & Xingyuan Chu & Xiaohui Liu & Chandrasekhar Naisa & Darius Pohl & Markus Löffler & Xinliang Feng, 2023. "Accessing parity-forbidden d-d transitions for photocatalytic CO2 reduction driven by infrared light," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Heng Rao & Luciana C. Schmidt & Julien Bonin & Marc Robert, 2017. "Visible-light-driven methane formation from CO2 with a molecular iron catalyst," Nature, Nature, vol. 548(7665), pages 74-77, August.
    3. Yang-Fan Xu & Paul N. Duchesne & Lu Wang & Alexandra Tavasoli & Feysal M. Ali & Meikun Xia & Jin-Feng Liao & Dai-Bin Kuang & Geoffrey A. Ozin, 2020. "High-performance light-driven heterogeneous CO2 catalysis with near-unity selectivity on metal phosphides," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Fengyu Zhang & Bo Li & Xingyuan San & Baolai Liang & Shufang Wang & Jun Luo & Guangsheng Fu, 2022. "General heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
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