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Quantum Dots as Photocatalysts for Bicarbonate Reduction to Solar Fuels: Formate Production from CuS, CuInS2, and CuInS2/ZnS

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Abstract

In this study, non-cadmium-based quantum dots were synthesized and used as catalysts for the photochemical reduction of bicarbonate to value-added formic acid. Three types of quantum dots (CuS, CuInS2, and CuInS2/ZnS) were chosen because of they feature environmentally benign properties, possess wide optical absorption, and exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity. All three photocatalysts exhibited excellent efficiency in the photo-reduction of bicarbonate to formic acid, with CuInS2/ZnS showing the highest photon to formate conversion efficiency of 6.07 ± 0.07%. We attribute these exceptional results to their smaller bandgap leading to enhanced visible light absorption and the application of an appropriate hole scavenger that prolongs photo-generated charge carrier separation. To the best of our knowledge, the application of quantum dots in photocatalysis is still quite limited; this report describes the highest apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) to date.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA

    Hanqing Pan, Ruwini Rajapaksha & Michael D. Heagy

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  1. Hanqing Pan
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  2. Ruwini Rajapaksha
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  3. Michael D. Heagy
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Pan, H., Rajapaksha, R. & Heagy, M.D. Quantum Dots as Photocatalysts for Bicarbonate Reduction to Solar Fuels: Formate Production from CuS, CuInS2, and CuInS2/ZnS. MRS Advances 4, 953–958 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.646

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.646

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