Selective CO production from aqueous CO using a CuIn catalyst and its integration into a bias-free solar perovskite-BiVO tandem device

• Published in: Energy & environmental science 2020-10, Vol.13 (1), p.3536-3543
• Main Authors: Rahaman, Motiar, Andrei, Virgil, Pornrungroj, Chanon, Wright, Demelza, Baumberg, Jeremy J, Reisner, Erwin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1754-5692; 1754-5706
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ee01279c

Sunlight-driven production of fuels is attracting attention for the generation of storable renewable energy, but the design of selective catalysts for CO 2 utilization and the assembly of unassisted devices for selective and efficient CO 2 -to-fuel conversion remains challenging. In this study, we report a bimetallic Cu 96 In 4 alloy with a dendritic foam morphology for the reduction of aqueous CO 2 to CO at an onset potential of −0.3 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and with >70% selectivity. Operando Raman spectroscopy reveals weaker *CO adsorption on the Cu 96 In 4 alloy surface compared to bare Cu and supports the immediate release of CO(g) as the product from the electrocatalyst surface. The Cu 96 In 4 catalyst is subsequently employed in an overall bias-free tandem device for CO 2 conversion using water as an electron donor. The buried photovoltaic-biased photoelectrochemical cell relies on state-of-the-art triple-cation mixed halide perovskite and BiVO 4 photoabsorbers that can also be assembled in an artificial leaf configuration. The device reaches a solar-to-CO energy conversion efficiency of 0.19% with a selectivity of 75% for CO after 10 h simulated sunlight irradiation using bias-free conditions. The buried perovskite|Cu 96 In 4 cathode shows robust, unaltered PEC activity at different solar intensities, which also allows it to function under low and diffuse sunlight. This study highlights the potential of alloying to improve catalytic performance and strategies to integrate such catalysts into solar-driven PEC devices. Porous dendritic copper-indium metal alloy foam catalysts are interfaced with a perovskite|BiVO 4 tandem device for solar CO 2 -to-CO conversion under bias-free conditions using water as an electron donor.