Isolated Cobalt Centers on W18O49 Nanowires Perform as a Reaction Switch for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

Isolated cobalt atoms have been successfully decorated onto the surface of W18O49 ultrathin nanowires. The Co-atom-decorated W18O49 nanowires (W18O49@Co) greatly accelerate the charge carrier separation and electron transport in the catalytic system. Moreover, the surface decoration with Co atoms modifies the energy configuration of the W18O49@Co hybrid and thus boosts the redox capability of photoexcited electrons for CO2 reduction. The decorated Co atoms work as the real active sites and, perhaps more importantly, perform as a reaction switch to enable the reaction to proceed. The optimized catalyst delivers considerable activity for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, yielding an impressive CO generation rate of 21.18 mmol g(-1) h(-1).

Automated summary

By successfully decorating isolated cobalt atoms onto the surface of ultrathin W18O49 nanowires, the charge carrier separation and electron transport in the catalytic system are greatly accelerated. The modification of the energy configuration of the W18O49@Co hybrid by surface decoration with cobalt atoms also enhances the redox capability of photoexcited electrons for CO2 reduction. The decorated cobalt atoms serve as the real active sites and act as a reaction switch to facilitate the reaction process.