Branch-like CdxZn1-xSe/Cu2O@Cu step-scheme heterojunction for CO2 photoreduction

X. Li, Z. Wang, J. Zhang, K. Dai*, K. Fan*, G. Dawson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The solar driven reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to high value-added carbon based fuel is a promising solution to mitidate climate and energy problems, however, improving the adsorption and conversion efficiency of CO2 in the photoreduction process still faces severe challenges. In this work, Cd0·7Zn0·3Se solid solution was prepared by cation exchange: selenium (Se) vacancies are produced during ion exchange, which promotes the unsaturated coordination of the surrounding metal atoms. The adsorption of diethylenetriamine (DETA) on the surface limits the growth of CdxZn1-xSe crystallites, resulting in insufficient coordination of the surface atoms, which then become active adsorption sites. Furthermore, a heterojunction was formed with Cu2O@Cu to accelerate the separation and transfer of photo-induced carriers of Cd0·7Zn0·3Se, and the optimized Cd0·7Zn0·3Se/Cu2O@Cu (CZS/CC) step-scheme heterojunction exhibited a CO release activity of 50.5 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 3.8 and 10.7 times higher than that of Cd0·7Zn0·3Se and Cu2O@Cu, respectively. This work is expected to open up new insight for the regulation of nanostructures and the design of selective catalysts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100729
JournalMaterials Today Physics
Volume26
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

Keywords

  • Cation exchange
  • CdZnSe solid solution
  • Density functional theory
  • Organic amines
  • Photocatalytic CO reduction

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