Synergy of dual single Ni and Co atoms on borate modified g-C3N4 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

• Published in: Materials research bulletin Vol. 153; p. 111883
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Qu, Binhong, Zhang, Ziqing, Sun, Jianhui, Zhao, Xiaomeng, Bai, Linlu, Jing, Liqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Charge separation; CO2 reduction; Dual single-atom photocatalyst; g-C3N4; g-C3N4; Dual single-atom photocatalyst; CO2 reduction; Charge separation
• ISSN: 0025-5408; 1873-4227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2022.111883

•Dual single-atom Ni and Co atoms are successfully decorated on borate modified ultrathin porous g-C3N4 nanosheets for photocatalytic CO2RR.•The synergetic effects that single Ni2+ atoms could capture electrons and benefit the CO2 reduction while single Co2+ atoms could extract holes and catalyze the water oxidation are found beneficial for enhanced photoactivity.•This work has provided a novel dual-modulation strategy by constructing dual single-atom photocatalysts for efficient solar fuel production. Dual modulation of electron and catalytic reduction as well as hole and catalytic oxidation targeting g-C3N4 is critical for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Herein, we decorated dual single Ni2+ and Co2+ atoms on borate modified ultrathin porous g-C3N4 nanosheets (NiCo-B-PCN) by a facile ion exchange method. Optimal NiCo-BO-PCN photocatalyst by regulating bimetallic molar ratio realized 43-fold CO2 photoconversion compared to pristine CN under full light irradiation. The single-atom dispersion of Ni2+ and Co2+ sites was evidenced by the high angle angular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy. As revealed by the characterizations such as transient absorption spectra and electrochemical curves, the photoactivity enhancement was attributed to the synergetic effects that single Ni2+ atoms could capture electrons and benefit the CO2 reduction while single Co2+ atoms could extract holes and catalyze the water oxidation. This work has provided a novel dual-modulation strategy by constructing dual single-atom photocatalysts for efficient solar fuel production. Single Ni and Co atoms synergistically modulate the charge separation of PCN and catalytic reactions for enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction. [Display omitted]