Preparation of Semiconductor Nanocomposites and Reduction of CO2 by Photoelectrocatalysis
Ningran Wu,Enlin Tian,Chuangyuan Zhao,Yongwen Shen,Xinping Hui,Huanwang Jing.Preparation of Semiconductor Nanocomposites and Reduction of CO2 by Photoelectrocatalysis[J].University Chemistry,2020,35(4):66-71.
National Demonstration Center for Experimental Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
Abstract:
This innovative comprehensive experiment mimics the photosynthesis of natural plants and designs a novel photoelectrocatalytic cell of 3D-ZnO/Ni BiVO4/FTO, in which, the ZnO-Ni photocathode prepared by electrodeposition and the BiVO4/FTO electrode were used as photocathode and photoanode, respectively. In 0.1 mol·L-1 KHCO3 aqueous solution, the photoelectrcatalytic CO2 reduction was carried out under -0.6 Volts powered by Si-solar cell in the presence of 1 mmol·L-1 Eosin Y, generating ethanol, acetate acid, and methanol in a total yield of 22.5 μmol·L-1·h-1·cm-2. This process can store solar energy to chemical energy and lessen CO2 in the atmosphere. The students might better understand the principle of green chemistry and the Calvin cycle of plant.
