Photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into chemicals using Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide combined with Pt-modified TiO2 nanotubes

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Jun 17;48(12):7076-84. doi: 10.1021/es500364g. Epub 2014 May 28.

Abstract

The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of CO2 into high-value chemicals is beneficial in alleviating global warming and advancing a low-carbon economy. In this work, Pt-modified reduced graphene oxide (Pt-RGO) and Pt-modified TiO2 nanotubes (Pt-TNT) were combined as cathode and photoanode catalysts, respectively, to form a PEC reactor for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals. XRD, XPS, TEM, AFM, and SEM were employed to characterize the microstructures of the Pt-RGO and Pt-TNT catalysts. Reduction products, such as C2H5OH and CH3COOH, were obtained from CO2 under band gap illumination and biased voltage. A combined liquid product generation rate (CH3OH, C2H5OH, HCOOH, and CH3COOH) of approximately 600 nmol/(h·cm(2)) was observed. Carbon atom conversion rate reached 1,130 nmol/(h·cm(2)), which were much higher than those achieved using Pt-modified carbon nanotubes and platinum carbon as cathode catalysts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Catalysis / radiation effects
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods*
  • Electrodes
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Light*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / ultrastructure
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Platinum / chemistry*
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • titanium dioxide
  • Platinum
  • Graphite
  • Titanium