Visible-light-driven photocatalysis of carbon dioxide by BiSeX and BiSeX/g-C3N4 (X = Cl, Br, I)

The conversion of CO2 through photoreduction into renewable and sustainable solar fuels, such as al-cohols and hydrocarbons, is an attractive approach for addressing environmental issues and energy crises. In this study, we successfully prepared a series of BiSeX (X = Cl, Br, I) photocatalysts by using a simple hydrothermal method that involves dissolving BiX3 and Se powder in toluene. The binary com-posite photocatalyst BiSeX/g-C3N4 was synthesized by mixing BiSeX with varying quantities of g-C3N4 to identify the optimal material for photocatalytic activity. The BiSeX/g-C3N4 photocatalyst converted CO2 into CH4, and the photocatalytic conversion rate of BiSeCl/50 wt% g-C3N4 was as high as 1.92 mmol/g$h. The optimized BiSeX/g-C3N4 photocatalysts exhibit gradual selective transition from CO2 to CH4 and eventually high-value hydrocarbons (C2+). Furthermore, because of the ability of these photocatalysts to reduce CO2, they are promising materials for mitigating environmental pollution. & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.