Cu+-Ti3+ interface interaction mediated CO2 coordination model for controlling the selectivity of photocatalytic reduction CO2

Cu2O clusters/TiO2 nanosheet (CNSX) as a photocatalyst is created to tailor the selectivity of CO2 photoreduc-tion. The catalysts show different selectivity of CO and CH4 with the increase of Cu2O mass. TiO2 nanosheet (NS) exhibits 100% selectivity of CH4 with a rate of 37.6 mu mol g(-1) h(-1). However, CO2 would be converted to CO with selectivity of 98% and yield of 162.6 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) on 5 wt% Cu2O/TiO2 nanosheet (CNS3). The Ti center dot center dot center dot CO2-center dot center dot center dot Ti coordination intermediate on Ti3+ sites is responsible for CH4 formation, whereas the Cu center dot center dot center dot CO2 center dot center dot center dot Ti specie on Cu1-delta and Ti4+delta sites determines CO production. The Cu+-Ti3+ interface interaction on CNSX surface can generate Cu1-delta and Ti4+delta sites and eliminate Ti3+ via the charge transfer from Ti3+ to Cu+. The selectivity is thus tailored effectively by Cu+-Ti3+ interface interaction mediated CO2 coordination model. This work would offer a new perspective for tailoring the selectivity of CO2 photoreduction.

Automated summary

This study utilizes the Cu+-Ti3+ interface interaction to effectively tailor the selectivity of CO2 photoreduction, achieving different selectivity control for CO and CH4.