Boron-doped CN supported metallic Co catalysts with interfacial electron transfer for enhanced photothermal CO hydrogenation

Solar-driven Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a promising route to produce solar fuels of value-added hydro-carbons. Herein, an approach of boron doping in CN support to modulate the interfacial electronic structure of Co-BCN catalysts is developed to promote the yield of hydrocarbon products in photothermal FTS. Under light irradiation, the optimized Co-BCN catalyst delivers a hydrocarbon selectivity of 96.9 % at a CO conversion over 40 %, which is 4.3 and 10.2 times that of Co-CN and Co-C catalysts, respectively. Detailed characterizations demonstrate that the electron transfer between Co nano-metal and BCN support, where electronic structure at interface is modulated. The formation of electron-rich interface in Co-BCN could promote CO activation with assistance of H* and thus enhance the conversion of CO. This work not only paves the way for the modulation of interface electrons to enhance photothermocatalytic activity but also offers a promising strategy toward the rational design and preparation of highly efficient catalysts.