Photocatalytic CO2 reduction to HCOOH over core-shell Cu@Cu2O catalysts

Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into HCOOH is a highly anticipated way to address the long-term demand of energy supply. Herein, we report the fabrication of uniform core-shell nanoparticles composed of a Cu core encapsulated by a Cu2O shell by thermal treatment of a Cu-MOF precursor. Impressively, Cu@Cu2O/C-350 exhibited the catalytic activity in CO2 reduction to HCOOH, attaining a HCOOH production rate of 31 mu g/h without any additives at room temperature. Further mechanistic studies indicated that surface Cu2O shell was acted as the active sites for the adsorption and activation of CO2.

Automated summary

In this study, uniform core-shell nanoparticles composed of a Cu core encapsulated by a Cu2O shell were fabricated by thermal treatment of a Cu-MOF precursor, showing catalytic activity in the conversion of CO2 to HCOOH. Mechanistic studies revealed that the Cu2O shell acted as the active sites for the adsorption and activation of CO2, contributing to the high HCOOH production rate achieved without any additives at room temperature.