Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of CO₂ into Chemicals Using Pt-Modified Reduced Graphene Oxide Combined with Pt-Modified TiO₂ Nanotubes

Abstract

The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of CO2 into high-value chemicals is beneficial in alleviating global warming and advancing a low-carbon economy. In this work, Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide (Pt-RGO) and Pt-modified TiO2 nanotubes (Pt-TNT) were combined as cathode and photoanode catalysts, respectively, to form a PEC reactor for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals. XRD, XPS, TEM, AFM, and SEM were employed to characterize the microstructures of the Pt-RGO and Pt-TNT catalysts. Reduction products, such as C2H5OH and CH3COOH, were obtained from CO2 under band gap illumination and biased voltage. A combined liquid product generation rate (CH3OH, C2H5OH, HCOOH, and CH3COOH) of approximately 600 nmol/(h·cm(2)) was observed. Carbon atom conversion rate reached 1,130 nmol/(h·cm(2)), which were much higher than those achieved using Pt-modified carbon nanotubes and platinum carbon as cathode catalysts.

Design and fabrication of semiconductor photocatalyst for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to solar fuel

“…Similarly, in another system of PEC reduction of CO 2 into chemicals, Pt-rGO and Pt modified TiO 2 nanotubes (Pt-TNT) performed as cathode and photoanode catalysts, respectively. As a consequence, the separated Pt-rGO exhibited an outstanding activity for CO 2 reduction due to its enhanced adsorption capacity for CO 2 and suppressed oxidation of products [357]. Furthermore, a bifunctionalized TiO 2 film containing a dye-sensitized zone and a catalysis zone as cathode exhibited highly efficient conversion of CO 2 to formic acid, formaldehyde, and methanol through the electron transfer at the CB of TiO 2 under visible light [358].…”

Achievements and Trends in Photoelectrocatalysis: from Environmental to Energy Applications

“…Photoelectrocatalysis technique applied to CO 2 reduction has gained attention in the last years due to high conversion efficiency into high-value products [183][184][185][186][187][188][189]. The potential gradient applied simultaneously to the light activation of a semiconductor such as GaP, Si, CsTe, and InP decorated with Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Pd, and Ni; carbon nanotubes modified with Pt and Fe; and TiO 2 NTs modified with Pt, CuO, CuO-Cu 2 O, and Cu/Cu 2 O has gained significant attention [183,185,[188][189][190][191][192][193][194], and the main results are summarized in Table 5.…”

“…The potential gradient applied simultaneously to the light activation of a semiconductor such as GaP, Si, CsTe, and InP decorated with Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, Pd, and Ni; carbon nanotubes modified with Pt and Fe; and TiO 2 NTs modified with Pt, CuO, CuO-Cu 2 O, and Cu/Cu 2 O has gained significant attention [183,185,[188][189][190][191][192][193][194], and the main results are summarized in Table 5. CO 2 reduction by the photoelectrocatalysis technique produces mainly pure or oxygenated hydrocarbons with high energetic content [202], probably involving electron transfer to their respective acceptors [188].…”

A New Si/TiO2/Pt p-n Junction Semiconductor to Demonstrate Photoelectrochemical CO2 Conversion

“…Cheng et al [20] employed Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide for photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction. Yang et al [21] performed photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction using one-dimensional ribbon CoPc enhanced Fe 2 O 3 nanotubes, and Li and coworkers [22] prepared TiO 2 nanotubes modified with a CdSeTe nanosheet aiming at photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction.…”