Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 in methanol to methyl formate over CuO-TiO2 composite catalysts

Photocatalytic reduction of CO(2) on CuO-TiO(2) composite catalysts in the presence of methanol to prepare methyl formate had been investigated. Methanol was used as sacrificial reagent to react with the photo-generated holes in the valence band, and CO(2) was reduced by the electrons in the conduction band. CuO-TiO(2) was optimized for CuO loading, preparation method and calcination temperature. The catalyst of 1.0CuO-TiO(2), calcined at 450°C and CTAB as a dispersant showed the highest overall activity. The heterojunction between CuO and TiO(2) demonstrated with HRTEM played an important role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity.