Construction of BiVO4@ NiCo2O3 Heterojunction to Promote Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Abstract Constructing a catalyst capable of reducing CO 2 through photoreduction in aqueous environments presents a significant challenge. In this study, we present the synthesis of BiVO 4 @NiCo 2 O 3 heterojunction using a straightforward hydrothermal method for CO 2 photoreduction. The sample with the optimal loading ratio demonstrates a CO generation rate of 7.202 μmol ⋅ g −1 ⋅ h −1 , which is twice that of pure BiVO 4 (3.626 μmol ⋅ g −1 ⋅ h −1 ) and 1.5 times that of pure NiCo 2 O 3 (4.726 μmol ⋅ g −1 ⋅ h −1 ). Analysis using XPS and EPR techniques suggests that electron transfer at the interface of the heterojunction facilitates the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the photocatalytic process. This investigation offers a viable approach for developing photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction in aqueous environments.