Three-dimensional palm frondlike Co3O4@NiO/graphitic carbon composite for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Three-dimensional (3D) palm frondlike S-scheme heterojunction based the Co3O4@NiO/graphitic carbon (Co@Ni/GC) composites were fabricated via a simple polymer heat treatment method as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR). The optimal Co@Ni/GC-70 0 catalyst exhibits excellent performance and stability for photocatalytic CO2RR. Under visible light irradiation, the maximum yields for CH4 and CO are 9.79 mu mol g-1h-1 and 4.89 mu mol g-1h-1, respectively. The photocatalytic CO2RR activity of the Co@Ni/GC catalysts is superior to Co3O4 or NiO, which could be attributed to the direct S-scheme heterojunction induced by the interfacial electric field (EF) and the improved CO2 adsorption capacity in Co@Ni/GC. DFT calculations revealed that an interfacial EF is formed due to the electron transfer from NiO to Co3O4 in the Co@Ni/GC catalysts. This work provides new insights for designing advanced S-scheme heterojunction photocatalytic CO2RR catalysts with ideal performance.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Three-dimensional palm frondlike S-scheme heterojunction based Co3O4@NiO/graphitic carbon composites were fabricated as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction reactions. The optimal Co@Ni/GC-700 catalyst exhibited excellent performance and stability with maximum yields of 9.79 µmol g-1h-1 for CH4 and 4.89 µmol g-1h-1 for CO under visible light irradiation. The superior photocatalytic CO2RR activity of the Co@Ni/GC catalysts can be attributed to the direct S-scheme heterojunction induced by the interfacial electric field (EF) and the improved CO2 adsorption capacity.