A ZIF-8 decorated TiO2 grid-like film with high CO2 adsorption for CO2 photoreduction

A strategy of coupling a photocatalyst with a high CO2 adsorption capacity material was proposed in order to integrate CO2 capture and photoreduction processes into a single system. TiO2 and ZIF-8 were selected for their high photoactivity and CO2 adsorption capacity respectively. We employed a facile in-situ growth strategy to inlay ZIF-8 into the TiO2 film grid. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed that ZIF-8 was successfully prepared and inlaid into the TiO2 film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra suggested that the TiO2 and ZIF-8 were coupled by chemical bonding. The ZIF-8 decorated TiO2 film exhibited excellent CO2 capture capacity and showed remarkably enhanced yield for reducing CO2 to CO and CH4 when compared with pure TiO2 film. The probable mechanism of the photoreduction process is also discussed.