Synthesis of Hierarchical 2D Fe2TiO5 Nanosheets for Efficient and Stable Visible Light CO2 Conversion to Solar Fuels

Abstract

Hierarchical structures have recently attracted significant interest due to their exceptional performance in energy storage and catalytic applications. In this study, novel hierarchical Fe₂TiO₅ nanosheets, fabricated by one-step solvothermal process, for boosted photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ with water to fuels, were investigated. The characteristics and properties of these photocatalysts were analyzed using various techniques including XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, UV–vis, and PL spectroscopy. The hierarchical Fe₂TiO₅ nanosheets demonstrated significant performance, yielding 149.5 µmole/g-cat of CH₃OH and 61.6 µmole/g-cat of dimethyl ether (DME), respectively. Compared to TiO₂ samples, the optimized 2D hierarchical nanosheets of Fe₂TiO₅ displayed 3.8-fold and 4.1-fold higher efficiency in CH₃OH and DME production, highlighting the advantages of their structure. The 2D hierarchical nanosheets of Fe₂TiO₅ facilitate electron transfer to CO₂ due to their unique structure, providing efficient electron pathways and electron storage sites within the nanosheets, thereby enhancing photoactivity. Moreover, the extended stability of Fe₂TiO₅ in CO₂ conversion further confirms the controllable selectivity and stability offered by the 2D hierarchical nanosheets structure. This study suggests that the fabrication of hierarchical structures holds promise for advancing high-performance photocatalysts for solar fuel production through CO₂ conversion.