Unveiling BiVO₄ photoelectrocatalytic potential for CO₂ reduction at ambient temperature

Author(s)

Silva, Ricardo Marques e ; Dias, Eduardo Henrique ; Escalona-Duran, Florymar ; da Silva, Gelson Tiago dos Santos Tavares ; Alnoush, Wajdi ; de Oliveira, Jessica Ariane ; Higgins, Drew ; Ribeiro, Caue

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS ADVANCES; v. 5, n. 11, p. 8-pg., 2024-04-16.

Abstract

Here, we explore monoclinic BiVO4 as a cathode in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) system for CO2 reduction (CO2R). The catalyst was prepared using a simple oxidant peroxide method with crystallization under hydrothermal conditions, and subsequently sprayed on the FTO substrate. CO2R was carried out in an inflow and sealed electrochemical system for 6 h. The best performance was found to be under photoelectrocatalysis powered by a light-emitting diode (LED) as an illumination source when compared to photocatalysis (using different halogen UV and LED illumination), electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis powered by a halogen UV illumination source, with total production values of 22 and 5.5 mu mol cm(-2) for methanol and acetic acid, respectively. This achievement occurs because, even though BiVO4 as a photocatalyst does not have sufficient potential to drive CO2R, an external potential can be applied to drive the reaction. Moreover, the photogenerated electron-hole pairs are guided by the external potential, improving the charge separation and promoting the rapid electron transfer to reduce CO2 on the photoelectrocathode at a lower overpotential when compared to electrocatalysis. LED illumination produced higher amounts of products than UV illumination because UV light affects the catalyst surface altering the number of catalytic sites available for the reaction and reducing their performance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/01258-5 - Novel chemical catalytic and photocatalytic processes for the direct conversion of methane and CO2 to products
• Grantee: José Maria Correa Bueno
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/09628-6 - Development of heterostructured semiconducting nanoparticles for methane conversion by photocatalytic process
• Grantee: Ricardo Marques e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/10689-2 - Preparation of reaction systems for photocatalytic methane-to-methanol selective oxidation
• Grantee: Eduardo Henrique Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/05149-1 - Tuning the CH4 reforming toward to green hydrogen driven by piezo-enhanced photoelectrochemical reaction
• Grantee: Jéssica Ariane de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 22/10255-5 - Architectures based on metal phosphides and nitrides for photo(electro)chemical conversion of CO2 into C2+ compounds
• Grantee: Gelson Tiago dos Santos Tavares da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/21496-0 - Photoelectrochemical system design for CO2 and CH4 conversion to valuable products
• Grantee: Jéssica Ariane de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/13065-0 - Development of heterostructured semiconducting nanoparticles for methane conversion by photoelectrocatalytic process
• Grantee: Ricardo Marques e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor