High efficiency of graphene/CoFe₂O₄ nanomaterial in the photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ dissolved in water under solar irradiation simulator

Author(s)

dos Santos, Clecia Andrade ; Perini, Joao Angelo Lima ; Irikura, Kallyni ; Romao, Luciane Pimenta Cruz ; Zanoni, Maria V. Boldrin

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Materials Science; v. 59, n. 4, p. 16-pg., 2024-01-01.

Abstract

The present work describes the excellent performance of GH-CoFe2O4 photocatalysts based on graphene ferrite, synthesized using water rich in natural organic matter (NOM) as a solvent, for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under artificial visible light, at ambient temperature and pressure. The nano-photocatalysts presented excellent photocatalytic activity, with high selectivity towards the conversion of CO2 to methanol as the main product, for both semiconductors tested (CoFe2O4 and GH-CoFe2O4). The presence of graphene improved photoexcitation under visible light, decreasing the CoFe2O4 band gap value from 1.47 to 1.25 eV, resulting in decreased recombination of the e-/h+ pairs. The rates of formation of methanol were 1105.7 and 1389.9 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) for CoFe2O4 and GH-CoFe2O4, respectively. The findings reveal the potential of photocatalysts based on ferrite and graphene for use in the conversion of CO2 dissolved in water without any added chemical into high added-value products. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/12790-7 - Preparation and characterization of TiO2 nanostructured electrodes modified with metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for application in the preconcentration and reduction of CO2
• Grantee: Kallyni Irikura
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/18057-7 - CO2 reduction aiming to generate value-added compounds by photocatalysis/photoelectrocatalysis using ionic liquid in a pressurized reactor
• Grantee: João Angelo de Lima Perini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50945-4 - INCT 2014: National Institute for Alternative Technologies of Detection, Toxicological Evaluation and Removal of Micropollutants and Radioactivies
• Grantee: Maria Valnice Boldrin
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants