Carbon-doped SnS2 nanostructure as a high-efficiency solar fuel catalyst under visible light
Journal
Nature Communications
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Shown, I.
Samireddi, S.
Chang, Y.-C.
Putikam, R.
Chang, P.-H.
Sabbah, A.
Fu, F.-Y.
Chen, W.-F.
Wu, C.-I.
Yu, T.-Y.
Chung, P.-W.
Lin, M.C.
Chen, L.-C.
Abstract
Photocatalytic formation of hydrocarbons using solar energy via artificial photosynthesis is a highly desirable renewable-energy source for replacing conventional fossil fuels. Using an l-cysteine-based hydrothermal process, here we synthesize a carbon-doped SnS2 (SnS2-C) metal dichalcogenide nanostructure, which exhibits a highly active and selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbons under visible-light. The interstitial carbon doping induced microstrain in the SnS2 lattice, resulting in different photophysical properties as compared with undoped SnS2. This SnS2-C photocatalyst significantly enhances the CO2 reduction activity under visible light, attaining a photochemical quantum efficiency of above 0.7%. The SnS2-C photocatalyst represents an important contribution towards high quantum efficiency artificial photosynthesis based on gas phase photocatalytic CO2 reduction under visible light, where the in situ carbon-doped SnS2 nanostructure improves the stability and the light harvesting and charge separation efficiency, and significantly enhances the photocatalytic activity. © 2018 The Author(s).
Other Subjects
carbon; carbon dioxide; hydrocarbon; nanomaterial; sulfide; tin derivative; tin sulfide; unclassified drug; carbon dioxide; catalysis; catalyst; efficiency measurement; energy resource; fossil fuel; fuel cell; gas phase reaction; hydrocarbon; hydrothermal system; light intensity; nanoparticle; photochemistry; photolysis; photosynthesis; reduction; renewable resource; separation; solar power; adsorption; Article; chemical composition; crystal structure; density functional theory; desorption; diffuse reflectance spectroscopy; light; nanocatalyst; photocatalysis; photochemistry; photoluminescence; photosynthesis; quantum chemistry; Raman spectrometry; reduction (chemistry); scanning electron microscopy; solar energy; structure analysis; transmission electron microscopy; X ray diffraction; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Type
journal article