Highly efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction by a ruthenium complex sensitizing g-C3N4/MOF hybrid photocatalyst†
Wenxuan Sun,Xuyang Chen,Xiangfen Meng,Yan Gao
New Journal of Chemistry Pub Date : 04/08/2021 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D1NJ01010G
Abstract

he photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO is considered one of the potential methods to meet the increasing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some issues, such as light harvesting, recombination of the electron–hole pairs, and catalytic selectivity, limit the photocatalytic performances. In this study, a ruthenium complex RuL2L′ (L = bpy, L′ = dcbpy) sensitizing g-C3N4/MOF hybrid (RuL2L′@C3N4/MOF) was exploited for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. The synergies between components have greatly improved photocatalytic performances. Within 3 h of irradiation, 4688 μmol g−1 of CO and 727 μmol g−1 of H2 were detected, and the selectivity of CO was up to 86.6%. This meaningful study provides a new opportunity for developing efficient photocatalysts.

Graphical abstract: Highly efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction by a ruthenium complex sensitizing g-C3N4/MOF hybrid photocatalyst