Advantageous roles of phosphate decorated octahedral CeO2 {111}/g-C3N4 in boosting photocatalytic CO2 reduction: Charge transfer bridge and Lewis basic site

For photocatalytic CO2 reduction, directional charge-transfer channel and abundant active sites are of significance. Herein, we designed and fabricated phosphate modified octahedral CeO2 {111} surface coupling with gC(3)N(4) (P-CeO2/g-C3N4) for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, which had superior activity than others, i.e., P-CeO2, gC(3)N(4), CeO2/g-C3N4. The characterization results revealed the coordination environment of P species, as well as, the presence of hydrogen bond between phosphate and amino. Through the PO43- bridge, the interfacial electrons donated from g-C3N4 to CeO2, leading to the Z-scheme formation and fast photo-generated charge transfer. Furthermore, PO43- modification increased more oxygen-containing functional groups on surface, which acted as Lewis basic sites for CO2 reactant adsorption and activation. Therefore, under the synergistic interaction of charge-transfer channel and abundant active sites, P-CeO2/g-C3N4 is a potential photocatalyst for CO2 reduction.

Automated summary

The P-CeO2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst coupling phosphate modified octahedral CeO2 {111} surface with gC(3)N(4) showed superior CO2 reduction activity due to efficient charge transfer and increased oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface. The interfacial electrons donated from g-C3N4 to CeO2 through the PO43- bridge led to Z-scheme formation, facilitating rapid photo-generated charge transfer and CO2 activation. This synergistic interaction of charge-transfer channel and abundant active sites makes P-CeO2/g-C3N4 a potential photocatalyst for CO2 reduction.