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Greenhouse-inspired supra-photothermal CO2 catalysis

Author

Listed:
  • Mujin Cai

    (Soochow University)

  • Zhiyi Wu

    (Soochow University)

  • Zhao Li

    (Soochow University
    University of Toronto)

  • Lu Wang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Wei Sun

    (University of Toronto)

  • Athanasios A. Tountas

    (University of Toronto)

  • Chaoran Li

    (Soochow University)

  • Shenghua Wang

    (Soochow University)

  • Kai Feng

    (Soochow University)

  • Ao-Bo Xu

    (University of Western Ontario)

  • Sanli Tang

    (University of Toronto)

  • Alexandra Tavasoli

    (University of Toronto)

  • Meiwen Peng

    (Soochow University)

  • Wenxuan Liu

    (Soochow University)

  • Amr S. Helmy

    (University of Toronto)

  • Le He

    (Soochow University)

  • Geoffrey A. Ozin

    (University of Toronto)

  • Xiaohong Zhang

    (Soochow University)

Abstract

Converting carbon dioxide photocatalytically into fuels using solar energy is an attractive route to move away from a reliance on fossil fuels. Photothermal CO2 catalysis is one approach to achieve this, but improved materials that can more efficiently harvest and use solar energy are needed. Here, we report a supra-photothermal catalyst architecture—inspired by the greenhouse effect—that boosts the performance of a catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation compared to traditional photothermal catalyst designs. The catalyst consists of a nanoporous-silica-encapsulated nickel nanocrystal (Ni@p-SiO2), which is active for methanation and reverse water–gas shift reactions. Under illumination, the local temperatures achieved by Ni@p-SiO2 exceed those of Ni-based catalysts without the SiO2 shell. We suggest that the heat insulation and infrared shielding effects of the SiO2 sheath confine the photothermal energy of the nickel core, enabling a supra-photothermal effect. Catalyst sintering and coking is also lessened in Ni@p-SiO2, which may be due to spatial confinement effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Mujin Cai & Zhiyi Wu & Zhao Li & Lu Wang & Wei Sun & Athanasios A. Tountas & Chaoran Li & Shenghua Wang & Kai Feng & Ao-Bo Xu & Sanli Tang & Alexandra Tavasoli & Meiwen Peng & Wenxuan Liu & Amr S. Hel, 2021. "Greenhouse-inspired supra-photothermal CO2 catalysis," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 807-814, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:6:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1038_s41560-021-00867-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00867-w
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Shenghua Wang & Dake Zhang & Wu Wang & Jun Zhong & Kai Feng & Zhiyi Wu & Boyu Du & Jiaqing He & Zhengwen Li & Le He & Wei Sun & Deren Yang & Geoffrey A. Ozin, 2022. "Grave-to-cradle upcycling of Ni from electroplating wastewater to photothermal CO2 catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Yingxuan Miao & Yunxuan Zhao & Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse & Run Shi & Li-Zhu Wu & Tierui Zhang, 2023. "Photothermal recycling of waste polyolefin plastics into liquid fuels with high selectivity under solvent-free conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Chenyang Yu & Xingyuan San & Yunna Guo & Liqiang Zhang & Jinhua Ye, 2023. "Cu-based high-entropy two-dimensional oxide as stable and active photothermal catalyst," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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