Boosting CO₂ Photoreduction Efficiency of Carbon Nitride via S-scheme g-C₃N₄/Fe₂TiO₅ Heterojunction

Author(s)

dos Santos, Gustavo ; Tian, Liang ; Goncalves, Renato ; Garcia, Hermenegildo ; Rossi, Liane

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS; v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2025-02-19.

Abstract

Photocatalysis has emerged as an alternative to high energy-demanding CO2 reduction reactions. Among the widely studied photocatalysts, g-C3N4 stands out due to its composition based on earth-abundant elements, its ability to absorb visible light, and its suitable band structure. In this study, a photocatalyst based on an S-scheme heterojunction formed by g-C3N4 and nanosized Fe2TiO5 is successfully prepared via simple hydrothermal assembly of both pre-synthesized semiconductors. Modifications induced on g-C3N4 during the heterojunction preparation play a crucial role in the efficiency of the CO2 photoreduction reaction. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the g-C3N4/Fe2TiO5 heterojunction exhibits higher photocatalytic performance than the pristine materials for both CO2 reduction to produce CO and CH4, and H2O reduction reaction, producing H-2. The results obtained correspond to a 1.5-fold improvement compared to pristine g-C3N4. When [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) is applied as a sensitizer, the visible light (>380 nm) activity of the photocatalytic system is restored, showing lower activity but higher selectivity toward CO and H-2 production, a route to renewable syngas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 21/00675-4 - Tying up materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis
• Grantee: Roberto Manuel Torresi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants