Heterojunction p-n-p Cu2O/S-TiO2/CuO: Synthesis and application to photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to methane

Hye Rim Kim, Abdul Razzaq, Craig A. Grimes, Su Il In

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to fuel is a topic of great current interest. The problem is a challenging one, requiring a photocorrosion-stable, industrially-scalable, broad-spectrum light absorbing semiconductor, the energy bands of which align with the CO/CO2 and H2O/O2 potentials. Herein we report the synthesis of a unique p-n-p heterojunction material architecture, Cu2O/S-doped TiO2 micro-blocks covered with CuO nanowires, using anodization and annealing processes. The photocatalytic material shows excellent performance in the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 and water vapor to methane under AM 1.5G illumination. The heterojunction material architecture exhibits a methane yield of 2.31μmolm−2h−1, a rate approximately ten times higher than TiO2 nanotube array films synthesized using similar anodization conditions. The improved performance of the heterojunctioned material architecture appears due to improved light absorption and efficient separation of the photogenerated charge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-96
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of CO2 Utilization
Volume20
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

  • CO conversion
  • Copper oxide
  • Methane
  • S-doped TiO
  • p-n-p junction

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Heterojunction p-n-p Cu2O/S-TiO2/CuO: Synthesis and application to photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to methane'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this