Photocatalytic Reduction of Co2 Under Visible Light with the Participation of Binary Cu2O/Ag2O Nanoheterostructures

Abstract

Foam-like binary Cu₂O/Ag₂O nanoheterostructures have been obtained by an electrochemical method. Their photoelectrochemical and spectral properties have been studied. The photocatalytic properties of these composites in the process of gas-phase reduction of carbon dioxide with water vapor have been studied. The formation of binary nanoheterostructures leads to an increase in methane yield and an increase in the amount of other organic products (acetaldehyde, ethylene, and ethanol) while the system is irradiated with visible light when compared to Cu₂O. This effect can be explained by the formation of a nanostructured Cu₂O/Ag₂O binary composite with a mutually consistent energy profile.