Preparation Cu_xCo_1−x for photocatalytic conversion of CO₂

Metal nanoparticles with high surface area and high electrochemical activity exhibit excellent catalytic performance in the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, poor stability, small specific surface area, and less active sites limits its solar energy utilization. Hydrothermal method was utilized to synthesize the bimetallic material of Cu_xCo_1−x in this work. Co was loaded onto the Cu surface due to the electrons generated by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect occurring on the Cu surface. Cu_xCo_1−x exhibits high photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ efficiency under irradiation, which mainly because the Co nanoparticles on the surface of Cu can be used as cocatalysts to enhance the photocharge transfer. Cu_0.6Co_0.4 exhibits the comparatively best photocatalytic conversion efficiency of CO₂ in the first 6 hours light irradiation. The yields of CO and CH₄ reached 35.26 and 2.71 μmol/(g·h), respectively. Upon illumination, electrons were produced, with the majority of them moving towards the interface. This movement contributes to the increased lifetime of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, which in turn boosts the photocatalytic efficiency. The findings of this research provide significant insights for creating photocatalysts that are both highly effective and stable in CO₂ reduction processes.