Development of BiVO4-based semiconductor Photocatalyst for Solar-Driven CO2 reduction: A Direct S-scheme Approach for Artificial Photosynthesis

• Grant number: 22/13455-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Renato Vitalino Gonçalves
• Grantee: Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed Bajiri
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I, AP.PCPE

Abstract

One of the most demanding and promising techniques for the production of clean and sustainable energy is artificial photosynthesis. Despite the significant scientific effort put out into photocatalytic CO2 reduction, the process is still only feasible at a laboratory level due to the fact that current photocatalysts suffer from several issues such as (1) undesirable utilization of visible light, (2) low charge separation, (3) high rate of charge recombination, (4) slow charge transport, (5) low product selectivity, (6) insufficient redox ability, and (7 poor catalytic activity. This work aims to investigate and construct BiVO4-based S-scheme heterostructures decorated with magnetic cocatalysts. BiVO4 as an oxidation semiconductor will be coupled with magnetic reduction semiconductors with appropriate band structures (e.g., NiFe2O4). The desired redox potential capability and spatial charge separation will be attained by S-scheme configuration. Charge transport and separation will be further improved by applying an external magnetic field. Cocatalysts operate as holes and electron extractors, act as active sites, enable CO2 adsorption and activation, and facilitate the product selectivity. A variety of novel magnetic S scheme photocatalysts will be constructed. The synergistic effects of Scheme configuration, magnetic field, and cocatalyst are anticipated to result in outstanding photocatalytic CO2 performance and complete product selectivity. The primary goals of this initiative align with Brazil's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The expertise of both the candidate and the supervisor in photocatalytic CO2 reduction and S-scheme configuration, as well as the reputable host institutions' access to all necessary facilities and experts in the field, provide a guarantee that the project's research and carrier objectives will be met.