Selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction on copper–titanium dioxide: a study of the relationship between CO production and H2 suppression

Abstract

Low selectivity and the competing reaction of hydrogen evolution are two problems in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Herein, we deposited highly crystalline metallic Cu nanoparticles onto TiO₂ photocatalysts using a solvothermal method. They were found to convert CO₂ into CO without any by-products. Importantly, hydrogen evolution can be suppressed after a reaction time of 1–2 h with a high generation rate and selectivity for CO production.