A core-shell catalyst design boosts the performance of photothermal reverse water gas shift catalysis

Photothermal reverse water gas shift (RWGS) catalysis holds promise for efficient conversions of greenhouse gas CO2 and renewable H-2, powered solely by sunlight, into CO, an important feedstock for the chemical industry. However, the performance of photothermal RWGS catalysis over existing supported catalysts is limited by the balance between the catalyst loading and dispersity, as well as stability against sintering. Herein, we report a core-shell strategy for the design of photothermal catalysts, by using Ni12P5 as an example, with simultaneously strong light absorption ability, high dispersity and stability. The core-shell structured Ni12P5@SiO2 catalyst with a relatively small Ni12P5 particle size of 15 nm at a high Ni12P5 loading of 30 wt% exhibits improved activity, nearly 100% CO selectivity, and superior stability in photothermal RWGS catalysis, particularly under intense illuminations. Our study clearly reveals the effectiveness of the core-shell strategy in breaking the limitation of supported catalysts and boosting the performance of photothermal CO2 catalysis.

Automated summary

The study presents a core-shell strategy for designing photothermal catalysts, using Ni12P5@SiO2 as an example, which demonstrates strong light absorption, high dispersity, and superior stability in photothermal RWGS catalysis. The core-shell structured catalyst exhibits improved activity and nearly 100% CO selectivity at a high Ni12P5 loading, particularly under intense illuminations. The effectiveness of the core-shell strategy in breaking the limitation of supported catalysts and enhancing the performance of photothermal CO2 catalysis is clearly revealed.