Dynamic Interface with Enhanced Visible-Light Absorption and Electron Transfer for Direct Photoreduction of Flue Gas to Syngas

The direct usage of CO2 in the flue gas to produce fuels or chemicals is of great significance from energy-saving and low-cost perspectives, yet it is still underexplored. Herein, we report the photoreduction of CO2 from the simulated industrial exhaust by synergistic catalysis of TEOA and a metal-free composite (COF1-g-C3N4) fabricated via covalently grafting COF1 with g-C3N4. The hydrogen bond interaction between TEOA and hydrazine units on COF1 is detected in diluted CO2, which leads to significantly enhanced light absorption in the whole visible-light region. Also, the photo-induced electrons undergo fast transfer from COF1 to g-C3N4. This kind of dynamic interface with enhanced light absorption and electron transfer effects promotes the photosynthetic yield of syngas to 165.6 mu mol.g(-1).h(-1) with the use of simulated exhaust gas as a raw material directly. The photosynthetic yield of syngas ranks among the highest of known metal-free catalysts in diluted CO2. This work provides a general rule for designing efficient catalysts via a controlled catalytic interface and new insights into the role of TEOA in photochemical CO2 reduction.

Automated summary

This study reports the photoreduction of CO2 from simulated industrial exhaust using TEOA and a metal-free COF1-g-C3N4 composite. The enhanced light absorption and electron transfer effects of the dynamic interface lead to a high photosynthetic yield of syngas, ranking among the highest of known metal-free catalysts in diluted CO2.