Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction over TiO2 Using Metalloporphyrin as the Cocatalyst

The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into CO and hydrocarbon fuels has been considered as an ideal green technology for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. The separation/transport of photoinduced charge carriers and adsorption/activation of CO2 molecules play crucial roles in photocatalytic activity. Herein, tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (H2TCPP) was incorporated with different metal atoms in the center of a conjugate macrocycle, forming the metalloporphyrins TCPP-M (M = Co, Ni, Cu). The as-obtained metalloporphyrin was loaded as a cocatalyst on commercial titania (P25) to form TCPP-M@P25 (M = Co, Ni, Cu) for enhanced CO2 photoreduction. Among all of the TCPP-M@P25 (M = Co, Ni, Cu), TCPP-Cu@P25 exhibited the highest evolution rates of CO (13.6 μmol⋅g−1⋅h−1) and CH4 (1.0 μmol⋅g−1⋅h−1), which were 35.8 times and 97.0 times those of bare P25, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the improved photogenerated electron-hole separation efficiency, as well as the increased adsorption/activation sites provided by the metal centers in TCPP-M (M = Co, Ni, Cu). Our study indicates that metalloporphyrin could be used as a high-efficiency cocatalyst to enhance CO2 photoreduction activity.

Preparation of Cu(ii) porphyrin–TiO2 composite in one-pot method and research on photocatalytic property

A promising strategy for porphyrin–TiO₂ photocatalyst preparation by using sol–gel process and solvothermal condition showed prospective utilization in the field of dye pollutant photodegradation.

The size controlled synthesis of Cu2S/P25 hetero junction solar-energy-materials and their applications in photocatalytic degradation of dyes

The Cu₂S quantum size effects and coverage effects on absorption edge, Raman frequency and photo-induced catalytic performance were investigated.

Gold nanoparticle incorporation into nanoporous anatase TiO2mesocrystal using a simple deposition–precipitation method for photocatalytic applications

Schottky junction plasmonic photocatalysts were synthesized by the modification of spindle-shaped TiO₂mesocrystals with Au nanoparticles, and their photocatalysis degradation mechanisms are proposed.

Synthesis, electron transfer and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotubes sensitized by meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin under visible-light irradiation

Porphyrin plays a crucial role in the process of photocatalysis, porphyrin compounds are naturally suitable antennas for solar energy collection and promising direct solar energy-to-chemical conversion equipment.

A facile and efficient preparation of anatase titania nanoparticles in micelle nanoreactors: morphology, structure, and their high photocatalytic activity under UV light illumination

Comparative photocatalysis degradation of MB dye under ultraviolet light irradiation: (a) without photocatalyst; (b) commercial P25 TiO₂ powder; and (c) TiO₂ nanoparticles.