Plasmon-induced carrier separation boosts high-selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction on dagger-axe-like Cu@Co core-shell bimetal

Designing plasmonic catalysts capable of efficient and selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction is considerable important for future carbon energy utilization. Herein, among many plasmonic bimetals, dagger-axe-like Cu@Co core-shell bimetal exhibits excellent photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity. The incorporation of Co layer into a Cu matrix constructs a core-shell structure, which could increase the CO2 adsorption capacity of Cu, thus promoting faster CO2 adsorption/activation. The electronic coupling of Co and Cu can also cause rapid interfacial charge-transfer dynamics. Therefore, the Cu@Co sample exhibits enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction of CO2 to CO, and its CO production rate is 11043.33 mu mol g(-1) without photosensitizer and cocatalyst. Furthermore, Cu@Co proved ultra-high CO selectivity (98%) and stability (48 h). This work offers a simple strategy to finely construct a fresh type of plasmonic photocatalyst for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Automated summary

The dagger-axe-like Cu@Co core-shell bimetal exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, with a high CO selectivity and stability. The incorporation of Co layer into Cu matrix creates a core-shell structure, enhancing CO2 adsorption capacity and promoting rapid CO2 adsorption/activation. Electronic coupling between Co and Cu results in fast interfacial charge-transfer dynamics.