Construction of multiple channels for electron transport in In2S3/In2O3/rGO heterojunctions to boost photocatalytic CO2 conversion to C2+ hydrocarbons

Constructing hybrids to accelerate the charge carrier separation and electron transport, and then decrease the electrons loss should be effective in the CO2 conversion into C2+ hydrocarbon fuels. In2S3/In2O3 (IS/IO) heterojunctions were in situ formed and decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets, realizing the construction of multiple channels for electron transport. Upon illumination, IS/IO-rGO nanocomposites not only significantly improved the conversion of CO2 to CO and CH4, but also allowed the formation of C2+ hydrocarbons (C2H4, C2H6, C3H6 and C3H8) under atmospheric conditions, and the total selectivity of C2+ even reached about 35 %. The synergistic effect of the heterojunctions and rGO, with multiple channels for electron transport, accelerates the charge carrier separation/transfer and increases the applied efficiency of electrons, availing more electrons accumulated on the surface of the composite. Eventually, there are sufficient electrons to participate in the reduction of CO2 to CO, CH4 and C2+ hydrocarbons.