Photothermal synthesis of a CuO(x)&FeO(y) catalyst with a layered double hydroxide-derived pore-confined frame to achieve photothermal CO(2) hydrogenation to CO with a rate of 136 mmol min(−1) g(cat)(−1)

Solar-driven CO(2) conversion into the industrial chemical CO via the reverse water–gas reaction is an ideal technological approach to achieve the key step of carbon neutralization. The high reaction temperature is cost-free due to the photothermal conversion brought about by solar irradiation and is beneficial to the catalytic efficiency. However, the thermostability of adopted catalysts is a great challenge. Herein, we develop an in situ photothermal synthesis to obtain a CuO(x)&FeO(y) catalyst with a layered double hydroxide-derived pore-confined frame. The optimized sample delivers a CO generation rate of 136.3 mmol min(−1) g(cat)(−1) with the selectivity of ∼100% at a high reaction temperature of 1015 °C. The efficient catalytic activity can be attributed to the fact that the pore-confined frame substrate prevents the growth of CuO(x) and FeO(y) nanoparticles during the high-temperature reaction and the basic groups on the substrate promote the adsorption and activation of CO(2).