Piezo-photocatalysis for efficient charge separation to promote CO 2 photoreduction in nanoclusters

• Published in: Ultrasonics sonochemistry 2023-12, Vol.101, p.106653
• Main Authors: Zhu, Xingwang, Xu, Hangmin, Bi, Chuanzhou, Song, Hao, Zhou, Ganghua, Zhong, Kang, Yang, Jinman, Yi, Jianjian, Xu, Hui, Wang, Xiaozhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1873-2828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106653

The substantial emissions of CO greenhouse gases have resulted in severe environmental problems, and research on the implementation of semiconductor materials to minimize CO is currently a highly discussed subject. Effective separation of interface charges is a major challenge for efficient piezo-photocatalytic systems. Meanwhile, the ultrasmall-sized metal nanoclusters can shorten the distance of electron transport. Herein, we synthesized Au (p-MBA) nanoclusters (Au NCs) modified red graphitic carbon nitride (RCN) nanocatalysts with highly exposed Au active sites by in-situ seed growth method. The loading of Au NCs on the RCN surface provides more active sites and creates a long-range ordered electric field. It allows for the direct utilization of the piezoelectric field to separate photogenerated carriers during photo-piezoelectric excitation. Based on the above advantages, the rate of CO reduction to CO over Au NCs/RCN (111.95 μmol g h ) was more than triple compared to that of pristine RCN. This paper has positive implication for further application of metal clusters loaded semiconductor for piezo-photocatalytic CO reduction.