Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 in water under visible-light irradiation by a p-type InP photocathode modified with an electropolymerized ruthenium complex

Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to HCOO- was successfully achieved by a p-type InP photocathode modified with an electropolymerized ruthenium complex in water. This technique decreased the required applied potential for CO2 reduction by utilizing solar energy. The carbon and proton sources of HCOO- were identified by a tracer experiment to be CO2 and H2O, respectively.