Study of Hybrid Photocatalytic System for CO2 Reduction into Hydrocarbon Fuels under Solar Irradiation

Abstract

Recently, the needs for sustainable energy are increased with the energy shortage and environmental pollution. The research on photocatalytic CO2 reduction is one of the promising research fields to address these needs. In this study, a hybrid photocatalytic system for CO2 reduction into hydrocarbon fuels was researched to enhance CO2 reduction efficiency by semiconductor nanoparticles and titanate (TiO2). One is that C, N co-doped sodium titanate nanotube (C, N-TNT) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and calcination treatment. The photocatalytic activities of C, N-TNT were evaluated by methylene blue degradation and CO2 reduction to hydrocarbon fuel under simulated solar light irradiation. The C,N-TNT1 (Urea/TiO2 =10) showed highest degradation rate for photocatalytic dye degradation. On the other hand, it showed highest CH4 production rate for C, N-TNT06. Another is that hybrid CuO-TiO2-xClx heterostructured composites was prepared by a novel synthetic method and its photocatalytic activity was evaluated with CO2 reduction by gas chromatogram (GC). A strategy to enhance the CO2 reduction efficiency is to couple CuO with Cl doped TiO2 to form p-n heterojunction that can enhance a charge separation of the photo-generated charge carriers. CT07 shows the dramatically enhanced CO2 reduction activity. Recently, the needs for sustainable energy are increased with the energy shortage and environmental pollution. The research on photocatalytic CO2 reduction is one of the promising research fields to address these needs. In this study, a hybrid photocatalytic system for CO2 reduction into hydrocarbon fuels was researched to enhance CO2 reduction efficiency by semiconductor nanoparticles and titanate (TiO2). ⓒ 2015 DGIST