Triangular silver nanoplates-BiVO4 composite for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction under irradiating LED light source

In this study, triangular silver nanoplates (TagNPts)/BiVO4 nanomaterials were prepared by hydrothermal method and are used as a photocatalyst in a photoreaction system to convert carbon dioxide into methane and carbon monoxide. The as prepared material was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible spectrometer (UV-vis). The absorbance increases in the visible light region due to the incorporation of nano-silver (triangular plate) metal and pulls electrons, reduces the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs, and improves the photoreduction activity. The transmittance ratio is measured and the specific wavelengths of blue LED 412-505 nm and green LED 427-622 nm are measured. It shows that the irradiation of targeted wavelength bands will increase the absorbance and effectively reduces the recombination of electron-hole pairs. The best performance in this study was achieved after irradiating blue light source with 0.9% TAgNPts/BiVO4. The cumulative production of photoreduced carbon monoxide is 30.11 & mu;mol g-1 and the quantum yield is 0.07%. After a green light source, the cumulative carbon monoxide yield using 0.9 wt% TAgNPts/BiVO4 is 24.77 & mu;mol g � and the quantum yield is 0.06%.

Automated summary

In this study, triangular silver nanoplates/BiVO4 nanomaterials were prepared and used as a photocatalyst to convert carbon dioxide into methane and carbon monoxide. The introduction of nano-silver improved the photoreduction activity and reduced the recombination rate of electron-hole pairs. Irradiation of targeted wavelength bands effectively increased absorbance and reduced electron-hole pair recombination.