Fabrication of CNT encapsulated CuS/Ni3S4 nanohybrid for enhanced productions of solar fuels

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2023-05, Vol.135, p.109784, Article 109784
• Main Authors: Shobanadevi, N., Selvi, M. Phemina, Kaliyan, Nagarajan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CuS/Ni3S4; Hydrothermal; Photo catalytic reduction of CO2; Solar fuels
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2023.109784

The global warming and energy crisis are the two major problems for all the countries. To solve these two problems: The Photo catalytic reduction of CO2 into solar fuels one of the best solutions. Hence, we need efficient and stable photo catalyst for this conversion. In this work, we developed a novel photo catalyst of CNT decorated CuS/Ni3S4 hybrid composite prepared by the hydrothermal method. The XRD, UV-VIS, Raman, SEM, TEM and photo-luminescence studies were performed in order to get complete insight about phase, crystalline, band gap, size, purity and morphology of the prepared materials. All these results suggest that CNT decorated hybrid composites have benefits towards its photo catalytic activity. The photo catalytic activity of developed materials was investigated towards photo catalytic reduction of CO2 into CH3OH, CH4, C2H5OH, H2. The experiment results showed that 3 % CNT decorated CuS/Ni3S4 exhibited higher photo catalytic activity than other materials, which provided yield of 178.42 μmolg−1 methanol under irradiation of 6 h whereas, pristine CuS/Ni3S4 materials provided yield of 117.65 μmolg−1. It means that yield of methanol produced by hybrid composites 1.5 times higher than pristine chalcogen materials. [Display omitted] •CNT decorated CuS/Ni3S4 hybrid composites successfully synthesized via facile hydrothermal route.•Photo catalytic efficiency investigated towards photo catalytic reduction of CO2 to value added fuels.•When CNT decorated CuS/Ni3S4 used as photo catalyst for the reduction of CO2, highest amount of CH3OH (178.42 μmol. g-1) was derived.•These findings suggest 3%CNT decorated CuS/Ni3S4 can be considered as promising materials to solve the and energy crisis.