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Elemental Boron for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Reduction under Light Irradiation
Author(s) -
Liu Guigao,
Meng Xianguang,
Zhang Huabin,
Zhao Guixia,
Pang Hong,
Wang Tao,
Li Peng,
Kako Tetsuya,
Ye Jinhua
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201701370
Subject(s) - boron , catalysis , photochemistry , chemistry , renewable energy , irradiation , adsorption , absorption (acoustics) , carbon dioxide , chemical engineering , materials science , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , nuclear physics , electrical engineering , composite material , engineering
Abstract The photoreduction of CO 2 is attractive for the production of renewable fuels and the mitigation of global warming. Herein, we report an efficient method for CO 2 reduction over elemental boron catalysts in the presence of only water and light irradiation through a photothermocatalytic process. Owing to its high solar‐light absorption and effective photothermal conversion, the illuminated boron catalyst experiences remarkable self‐heating. This process favors CO 2 activation and also induces localized boron hydrolysis to in situ produce H 2 as an active proton source and electron donor for CO 2 reduction as well as boron oxides as promoters of CO 2 adsorption. These synergistic effects, in combination with the unique catalytic properties of boron, are proposed to account for the efficiency of the CO 2 reduction. This study highlights the promise of photothermocatalytic strategies for CO 2 conversion and also opens new avenues towards the development of related solar‐energy utilization schemes.