New application of Z-scheme Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 composite in converting CO2 to fuel

Environ Sci Technol. 2015 Jan 6;49(1):649-56. doi: 10.1021/es5046309. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

Abstract

This research was designed for the first time to investigate the activities of photocatalytic composite, Ag3PO4/g-C3N4, in converting CO2 to fuels under simulated sunlight irradiation. The composite was synthesized using a simple in situ deposition method and characterized by various techniques including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and an electrochemical method. Thorough investigation indicated that the composite consisted of Ag3PO4, Ag, and g-C3N4. The introduction of Ag3PO4 on g-C3N4 promoted its light absorption performance. However, more significant was the formation of heterojunction structure between Ag3PO4 and g-C3N4, which efficiently promoted the separation of electron-hole pairs by a Z-scheme mechanism and ultimately enhanced the photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of the Ag3PO4/g-C3N4. The optimal Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 photocatalyst showed a CO2 conversion rate of 57.5 μmol · h(-1) · gcat(-1), which was 6.1 and 10.4 times higher than those of g-C3N4 and P25, respectively, under simulated sunlight irradiation. The work found a new application of the photocatalyst, Ag3PO4/g-C3N4, in simultaneous environmental protection and energy production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Catalysis / radiation effects
  • Dielectric Spectroscopy
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nitriles / chemistry*
  • Phosphates / chemistry*
  • Photochemical Processes / radiation effects*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Renewable Energy*
  • Silver Compounds / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Sunlight
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Nitriles
  • Phosphates
  • Silver Compounds
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • cyanogen
  • Graphite
  • silver phosphate