Bi2MoO6 Quantum Dots in Situ Grown on Reduced Graphene Oxide Layers: A Novel Electron-Rich Interface for Efficient CO2 Reduction

Bi2MoO6 quantum dots (BM QDs, 5 nm in diameter) are evenly in-situ grown on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layers, sensitizing the graphene with high visible-light response and activity for efficient solar-light-driven CO2 reduction. Under irradiation, small-sized BM QDs generate active electrons and donate them to the rGO layers. Since the formation of BM QDs and reduction of GO undergo simultaneously, close connection between BM QDs and rGO enables the electron injection from excited Bi2MoO6 QDs to graphene scaffolds. And abundant electrons accommodated by the rGO layers offer an electron-rich interface for CO2 reduction. Benefited by the improved electron extraction and transport over BM QDs/rGO interface, 84.8 μmol g-1 of methanol and 57.5 μmol g-1 of ethanol in 4 h are achieved on BM QDs/rGO with optimal composition. The total output of alcohols over BM/rGO (142.3 μmol g-1) is 2.2 and 4.4 times that achieved on unmodified Bi2MoO6 QDs (64.0 μmol g-1) and flower-like Bi2MoO6 (32.2 μmol g-1), respectively.