Tuning W18O49/Cu2O{111} Interfaces for the Highly Selective CO2 Photocatalytic Conversion to CH4

As a multiple proton-coupled electron transfer process, photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 usually produces a wide variety of products. Improving the yield and selectivity of CO 2 to the single product is still a significant challenge. In this work, we describe that the rationally constructed W 18 O 49 /Cu 2 O{111} interfaces achieve highly selective CO 2 photocatalytic conversion to CH 4 . In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements reveal that the formation of W 18 O 49 /Cu 2 O{111} interfaces restrains the desorption of CO* intermediates in CO 2 photocatalytic conversion. UPS spectra, PL spectra, and photocurrent curves show that more photogenerated electrons are excited and transferred to W 18 O 49 /Cu 2 O{111} interfaces. All of these play critical roles in CH 4 production. As an outcome, the yield rate of CO 2 photocatalytic conversion to CH 4 was enhanced from 6.5 to 17.20 μmol g –1 h –1 with selectivity as high as 94.7%. The work demonstrates the feasibility and versatility of interface engineering in achieving highly selective CO 2 photocatalytic conversion.