Surface-modified Ag@Ru-P25 for photocatalytic CO₂ conversion with high selectivity over CH₄ formation at the solid-gas interface

Abstract

Systematic optimization of the photocatalyst and investigation of the role of each component is important to maximizing catalytic activity and comprehending the photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ reduction to solar fuels. A surface-modified Ag@Ru-P25 photocatalyst with H₂O₂ treatment was designed in this study to convert CO₂ and H₂O vapor into highly selective CH₄. Ru doping followed by Ag nanoparticles (NPs) cocatalyst deposition on P25 (TiO₂) enhances visible light absorption and charge separation, whereas H₂O₂ treatment modifies the surface of the photocatalyst with hydroxyl (-OH) groups and promotes CO₂ adsorption. High-resonance transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure techniques were used to analyze the surface and chemical composition of the photocatalyst, while thermogravimetric analysis, CO₂ adsorption isotherm, and temperature programmed desorption study were performed to examine the significance of H₂O₂ treatment in increasing CO₂ reduction activity. The optimized Ag_1.0@Ru_1.0-P25 photocatalyst performed excellent CO₂ reduction activity into CO, CH₄, and C₂H₆ with a ~95% selectivity of CH₄, where the activity was ~135 times higher than that of pristine TiO₂ (P25). For the first time, this work explored the effect of H₂O₂ treatment on the photocatalyst that dramatically increases CO₂ reduction activity.

Keywords

gas-phase CO ₂ reduction / H ₂O ₂ treatment / plasmonic nanoparticles / solar fuel photocatalyst / surface modification

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