A heavy metal-free CuInS2 quantum dot sensitized NiO photocathode with a Re molecular catalyst for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction

Abstract

Heavy metal-free CuInS₂ quantum dots (QDs) were employed as a photosensitizer on a NiO photocathode to drive an immobilized molecular Re catalyst for photoelectrochemical CO₂ reduction for the first time. A photocurrent of 25 μA cm⁻² at −0.87 V vs. NHE was obtained, providing a faradaic efficiency of 32% for CO production.