Highly Efficient Photothermal Reduction of CO(2) on Pd(2)Cu Dispersed TiO(2) Photocatalyst and Operando DRIFT Spectroscopic Analysis of Reactive Intermediates

The photocatalytic conversion of CO(2) to fuels using solar energy presents meaningful potential in the mitigation of global warming, solar energy conversion, and fuel production. Photothermal catalysis is one promising approach to convert chemically inert CO(2) into value-added chemicals. Herein, we report the selective hydrogenation of CO(2) to ethanol by Pd(2)Cu alloy dispersed TiO(2) (P25) photocatalyst. Under UV-Vis irradiation, the Pd(2)Cu/P25 showed an efficient CO(2) reduction photothermally at 150 °C with an ethanol production rate of 4.1 mmol g(−1) h(−1). Operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) absorption studies were used to trace the reactive intermediates involved in CO(2) hydrogenation in detail. Overall, the Cu provides the active sites for CO(2) adsorption and Pd involves the oxidation of H(2) molecule generated from P25 and C–C bond formation.