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Quantum Dots as Photocatalysts for Bicarbonate Reduction to Solar Fuels: Formate Production from CuS, CuInS2, and CuInS2/ZnS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 December 2018

Hanqing Pan ,
Ruwini Rajapaksha  and
Michael D. Heagy
Hanqing Pan
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801
Ruwini Rajapaksha
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801
Michael D. Heagy*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801
*
*(Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

In this study, non-cadmium-based quantum dots were synthesized and used as catalysts for the photochemical reduction of bicarbonate to value-added formic acid. Three types of quantum dots (CuS, CuInS2, and CuInS2/ZnS) were chosen because of they feature environmentally benign properties, possess wide optical absorption, and exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity. All three photocatalysts exhibited excellent efficiency in the photo-reduction of bicarbonate to formic acid, with CuInS2/ZnS showing the highest photon to formate conversion efficiency of 6.07 ± 0.07%. We attribute these exceptional results to their smaller bandgap leading to enhanced visible light absorption and the application of an appropriate hole scavenger that prolongs photo-generated charge carrier separation. To the best of our knowledge, the application of quantum dots in photocatalysis is still quite limited; this report describes the highest apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) to date.

Keywords

quantum dotcatalyticnanoscalephotochemical
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 4 , Issue 16: Energy-Transfer, Storage and Conversion , 2019 , pp. 953 - 958
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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