Boosting selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO over Dual-core@shell structured Bi2O3/Bi2WO6@g-C3N4 catalysts with strong interaction interface

The strong interaction between hetero materials interface is crucial to boost the transfer efficiency of photogenerated electrons. Herein, the [email protected] structured Bi2O3/Bi2WO6@g-C3N4 ([email protected]) photocatalysts were fabricated by the co-grind and calcination method. The separation/transfer efficiencies of photogenerated electron-hole pairs could be improved via the EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) proved strong interaction of core/shell interface. The [email protected] catalysts with a strong interaction interface exhibit high activity for CO2-to-CO, and the [email protected] (10 g melamine is used) catalyst has the largest formation rate (263.7 µmol g−1) and selectivity (97.0%) of CO product. Based on the results of in-situ DRIFTS (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy) and Density Functional Theory calculation, the photoconversion mechanism of CO2-to-CO has been proposed: the COOH* formation is the rate-determined step of CO2 conversion, and the selectivity of CO product is dependent on its suitable desorption energy. It inspires the fabrication strategy of efficient hetero photocatalysts with a strong interaction interface for selective photocatalytic CO2 conversion.