Catalytic reduction of CO2 to alcohol with Cu2Se-combined graphene binary nanocomposites

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 over a Cu2Se-graphene nanocatalyst has been investigated. The nanocomposite material was successfully prepared via a modified hydrothermal method. The structure and properties of the prepared composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopic analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A synergetic effect of the combination of Cu2Se and graphene appeared in the form of excellent photocatalytic reduction capability of CO2. The photocatalytic efficiencies of the samples were characterized by testing for the photoreduction of CO2 to alcohol under visible light irradiation, which produced results such as to suggest that there is a significant potential for graphene-based semiconductor hybrid materials to be used as photocatalysts for reduction of CO2.