Co engineered CoP catalyst for photochemical CO2 reduction with accelerated electron transfer endowed by the space-charge region

Yong Xu; Ping Wang; Di Tian; Man Zhang; Weili Dai; Jianping Zou; Shenglian Luo; Xubiao Luo

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.178

Co engineered CoP catalyst for photochemical CO₂ reduction with accelerated electron transfer endowed by the space-charge region

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Oct 15:648:389-396. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.178. Epub 2023 Jun 1.

Authors

Yong Xu¹, Ping Wang¹, Di Tian¹, Man Zhang¹, Weili Dai², Jianping Zou¹, Shenglian Luo¹, Xubiao Luo³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
² Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China. Electronic address: wldai81@126.com.
³ Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China; School of Life Science, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, PR China.

PMID: 37302222
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.178

Abstract

Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction has been regarded as an ideal method to simulate photosynthesis for achieving carbon neutralization. However, poor charge transfer efficiency limits its development. Herein, an efficient Co/CoP@C catalyst was prepared with compact contact of Co and CoP layer by using MOF as precursor. At the interface of Co/CoP, the difference in functionality between the two phases may result in uneven distribution of electrons, thus forming a self-driven space-chare region. In this region, spontaneous electron transfer is guaranteed, thus facilitating the effective separation of photogenerated carriers as well as boosting the utilization of solar energy. Furthermore, the electron density of active site Co in CoP is increased and more active sites are exposed, which promotes the adsorption and activation of CO₂ molecules. Together with suitable redox potential, low energy barrier for *COOH formation and easy desorption of CO, the reduction rate of CO₂ catalyzed by Co/CoP@C is 4 times higher than that of CoP@C.

Keywords: CO(2) reduction; CoP; Electron transfer; Photocatalysis; Space-charge region.