Nanocluster-mediated electron-hole separation for efficient CO2 photoreduction

Poor capability of charge-holes separation and slower surface CO2 reaction kinetics hinder photocatalytic performance. Here, SnS2 atomic layer with Pt3Co alloy nanoclusters have been successfully prepared. Nanoclusters could be used as highly catalytic active sites, which not only facilitates the carrier separation and transport kinetics, but enriches electrons lowered the reaction barrier. As expected, the CO evolution rate of the champion SnS2/Pt3Co catalyst was 13.6 times higher than that of the original SnS2 catalyst under white light irradiation. In-situ DRIFTS identifies key intermediate in the photoreduction process. In-situ XPS and DFT calculation further verifies the electron transport direction and charge density distribution at the SnS2/Pt3Co interface. Our work uncovers the role of nanoclusters in carrier separation and transport as well as proton transport, opening new chances for obtaining efficient photoreduction CO2 property.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared SnS2 atomic layer with Pt3Co alloy nanoclusters, which act as highly catalytic active sites, improving the charge separation and transport kinetics and reducing the reaction barrier for enhanced photocatalytic performance. In-situ experiments and calculations confirmed the crucial role of nanoclusters in the photoreduction of CO2.