Piezo-photocatalysis for efficient charge separation to promote CO(2) photoreduction in nanoclusters

The substantial emissions of CO(2) greenhouse gases have resulted in severe environmental problems, and research on the implementation of semiconductor materials to minimize CO(2) is currently a highly discussed subject. Effective separation of interface charges is a major challenge for efficient piezo-photocatalytic systems. Meanwhile, the ultrasmall-sized metal nanoclusters can shorten the distance of electron transport. Herein, we synthesized Au(25)(p-MBA)(18) nanoclusters (Au(25) NCs) modified red graphitic carbon nitride (RCN) nanocatalysts with highly exposed Au active sites by in-situ seed growth method. The loading of Au(25) NCs on the RCN surface provides more active sites and creates a long-range ordered electric field. It allows for the direct utilization of the piezoelectric field to separate photogenerated carriers during photo-piezoelectric excitation. Based on the above advantages, the rate of CO(2) reduction to CO over Au(25) NCs/RCN (111.95 μmol g(−1) h(−1)) was more than triple compared to that of pristine RCN. This paper has positive implication for further application of metal clusters loaded semiconductor for piezo-photocatalytic CO(2) reduction.