Do as plants do: Novel photocatalysts can perform solar-driven
conversion of CO2 into fuel

Date:
September 9, 2020
Source:
DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)
Summary:
Scientists develop a novel 'heterostructured' photocatalyst using
titanium and copper, two abundant and relatively inexpensive metals.

Their cost-effective synthesis procedure, coupled with the
high stability of the photocatalyst, provides an economically
feasible way to convert waste carbon dioxide and water into useful
hydrocarbon fuels using endless sunlight.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The escalating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the consequent
acceleration of climate change are alarming, and it has proven challenging
to find feasible ways to actively reduce the concentration of CO2
in the atmosphere. What if we drew inspiration from photosynthesis,
the process by which plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into
useful chemicals?

==========================================================================
In a recent study published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Prof
Su-Il In and researchers from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in Korea developed a novel photocatalyst for converting
CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels. Their approach is based around the concept of "Z-scheme" charge transfer mechanism in heterostructured photocatalysts,
where the interfaces between two different materials play a central role
in chemical processes that resemble the electron transfers in natural photosynthesis.

They reinforced reduced titanium nanoparticles edges with dicopper oxide
(Cu2O) nanoparticles through photo-deposition, a unique yet relatively
simple and inexpensive procedure. The rich electron density of reduced
titania at the interface helps neutralize positive charges, called
"electron holes," in Cu2O, which otherwise accumulate excessively
and lead to photocorrosion. Moreover, the geometric configuration
of the resulting interfaces allows both materials to be exposed to
the reactive medium and jointly enhance photocatalytic performance,
in contrast to core-shell structures previously developed to avoid photocorrosion. Apart from its remarkable CO2 conversion capabilities,
the proposed photocatalyst has other benefits, as Prof In explains: "Aside
from showing stable performance for 42 hours under continuous operation,
the proposed photocatalyst is composed of earth-abundant materials, which greatly adds to its economic viability." The development and adoption
of viable methods to convert CO2 into fuel would have both environmental
and economic benefits. In this regard, Prof In remarks: "Photocatalytic
CO2 reduction is applicable in processes that produce huge volumes of
CO2, like thermal power stations and industrial fermentation facilities (distilleries). Integrating this technology in such facilities will
give them access to inexpensive and abundant fuel and cuts in carbon
emission taxes." Needless to say, cheaper energy would have positive
ripple effects in all the economy, and this study shows a promising way
to get there while going green at the same time.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by DGIST_(Daegu_Gyeongbuk_Institute_of_Science_and Technology). Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Shahzad Ali, Junho Lee, Hwapyong Kim, Yunju Hwang, Abdul Razzaq,
Jin-Woo
Jung, Chang-Hee Cho, Su-Il In. Sustained, photocatalytic
CO2 reduction to CH4 in a continuous flow reactor by
earth-abundant materials: Reduced titania-Cu2O Z-scheme
heterostructures. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2020; 279:
119344 DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119344 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200909100303.htm

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