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Abstract
In view of their ability to absorb visible light and their high surface catalytic activity, metal sulfides are rapidly emerging as promising candidates for CO 2 photoreduction, scoring over the traditional oxide-based systems. However, their low conversion efficiencies due to serious radiative recombination issues and poor stability restrict their real-life applicability. Enhancing their performance by coupling them with other semiconductor-based photocatalysts or precious noble metals as cocatalysts makes the process cost intensive. Herein, we report the single-phase ternary sulfide Cu 3SnS 4 (CTS) as a robust visible-light photocatalyst for selective photoreduction of CO 2 to CH 4. It showed a remarkable 80% selectivity for CH 4 evolution with the rate of 14 μmol/g/h, without addition of any cocatalyst or scavenger. The mechanistic pathway for catalytic activity is elucidated by first principle calculations and in situ ATR, which imply a formaldehyde pathway of hydrocarbon production. The Cu-Sn termination of the surface is shown to be the key factor for competent CO 2 absorption and activation as confirmed from our X-ray spectroscopy measurements and first principle calculations. This study provides a foundation and insights for the rational design of sulfide-based photocatalysts to produce renewable fuel.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5677-5685 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | ACS Applied Energy Materials |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 1 Jul 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 26 Aug 2019 |
Keywords
- CO reduction
- Cu SnS
- Cu-Sn-terminated surface
- photocatalysis
- solar fuels
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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Dive into the research topics of 'Photocatalytic Activation and Reduction of CO2 to CH4 over Single Phase Nano Cu3SnS4: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Halide perovskites for artificial leaves
Eslava, S. (PI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/04/18 → 31/03/20
Project: Research council