Novel Cu2O/Bi2WO6 composite for the photoreduction of CO2 to fuel

Abstract

In this study, Cu₂O was prepared using a one-step reduction method, and Bi₂WO₆ was uniformly mixed with Cu₂O in various proportions to obtain Cu₂O/Bi₂WO₆ composites with different Bi₂WO₆ contents. The prepared samples (Cu₂O and Cu₂O/Bi₂WO₆) were used as photocatalytic materials in the photo-reductive conversion of CO₂ into CH₄ and CO. The morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of the obtained photocatalysts were investigated using a series of characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the photoreduction of CO₂ using the prepared samples was studied under low-power visible LED lights irradiation (blue LED and green LED) to save energy. Experimental results showed that Cu₂O/Bi₂WO₆ with a 3:1 ratio possessed the optimal properties, yielding 27.4 μmol g⁻¹ of methane and 30.6 μmol g⁻¹ of carbon monoxide under green light.