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Graphene Quantum Sheet Catalyzed Silicon Photocathode for Selective CO 2 Conversion to CO
Author(s) -
Yang Ki Dong,
Ha Yoonhoo,
Sim Uk,
An Junghyun,
Lee Chan Woo,
Jin Kyoungsuk,
Kim Younghye,
Park Jimin,
Hong Jung Sug,
Lee Jun Ho,
Lee HyeEun,
Jeong HuiYun,
Kim Hyungjun,
Nam Ki Tae
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201502751
Subject(s) - materials science , electrocatalyst , faraday efficiency , graphene , catalysis , photocathode , density functional theory , silicon , selectivity , nanotechnology , solar fuel , chemical engineering , nanowire , inorganic chemistry , optoelectronics , photocatalysis , electrochemistry , electrode , chemistry , electron , organic chemistry , computational chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into chemical feedstock is drawing increasing attention as a prominent method of recycling atmospheric CO 2 . Although many studies have been devoted in designing an efficient catalyst for CO 2 conversion with noble metals, low selectivity and high energy input still remain major hurdles. One possible solution is to use the combination of an earth‐abundant electrocatalyst with a photoelectrode powered by solar energy. Herein, for the first time, a p‐type silicon nanowire with nitrogen‐doped graphene quantum sheets (N‐GQSs) as heterogeneous electrocatalyst for selective CO production is demonstrated. The photoreduction of CO 2 into CO is achieved at a potential of −1.53 V versus Ag/Ag + , providing 0.15 mA cm −2 of current density, which is 130 mV higher than that of a p‐type Si nanowire decorated with well‐known Cu catalyst. The faradaic efficiency for CO is 95%, demonstrating significantly improved selectivity compared with that of bare planar Si. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed, which suggest that pyridinic N acts as the active site and band alignment can be achieved for N‐GQSs larger than 3 nm. The demonstrated high efficiency of the catalytic system provides new insights for the development of nonprecious, environmentally benign CO 2 utilization.