ARTICLE This journal isOwing to shortage of fossil fuels and rapid growth of energy demand, it becomes essential to explore new energy resources. Moreover, CO2 level is increasing day by day, which has caused global warming as well as environmental pollution. Designing a suitable photocatalyst that can solve both issues always remains a challenge. In this work, we have designed such nanocatalyst that may be helpful in solving these issues. The hydrothermal method has been used for the synthesis of Bi2S3 and CeO2, and their nanocomposite (Bi2S3/CeO2) has been prepared by a two-step method. X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of target materials. High Resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy show that Bi2S3 is in rod shape and CeO2 is in spherical particles. Both Bi2S3 and CeO2 are well distributed in the nanocomposite. Optical property of the obtained nanocatalysts is analyzed by UV/visible absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra. X-ray photoelectron spectra are used to determine the position of valence band. All the synthesized materials are applied for the photoreduction of CO2 with water under visible-light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). The Bi2S3/CeO2 nanocomposite exhibits a higher yield of methane and methanol than that of single semiconductor. Moreover, the nanocomposite shows improved stability than the individual catalyst.
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