Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: A series of CdSe quantum dot (QD)-sensitized TiO 2 heterostructures have been synthesized, characterized, and tested for the photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 in the presence of H 2 O. Our results show that these heterostructured materials are capable of catalyzing the photoreduction of CO 2 using visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm) only. The effect of removing surfactant caps from the CdSe QDs by annealing and using a hydrazine chemical treatment have also been investigated. The photocatalytic reduction process is followed using infrared spectroscopy to probe the gas-phase reactants and gas chromatography to detect the products. Gas chromatographic analysis shows that the primary reaction product is CH 4, with CH 3 OH, H 2, and CO observed as secondary products. Typical yields of the gas-phase products after visible light illumination (λ > 420 nm) were 48 ppm g −1 h −1 of CH 4, 3.3 ppm g −1 h −1 of CH 3 OH (vapor), and trace amounts of CO and H 2 .
DOI: 10.1021/jz9000032
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W83944954