Novel Cu2O/Bi2WO6 composite for the photoreduction of CO2 to fuel

In this study, Cu2O was prepared using a one-step reduction method, and Bi2WO6 was uniformly mixed with Cu2O in various proportions to obtain Cu2O/Bi2WO6 composites with different Bi2WO6 contents. The prepared samples (Cu2O and Cu2O/Bi2WO6) were used as photocatalytic materials in the photo-reductive conversion of CO2 into CH4 and CO. The morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of the obtained photocatalysts were investigated using a series of characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the photoreduction of CO2 using the prepared samples was studied under low-power visible LED lights irradiation (blue LED and green LED) to save energy. Experimental results showed that Cu2O/Bi2WO6 with a 3:1 ratio possessed the optimal properties, yielding 27.4 mu mol g(-1) of methane and 30.6 mu mol g(-1) of carbon monoxide under green light.