Unveiling CuO role in CO2 photoreduction process - catalyst or reactant?

Abstract

We systematically investigated CO2 photoreduction catalyzed by CuO from different synthetic methods (solvothermal, coprecipitation and solid-state reaction) to understand which mechanism is prevailing for this reaction. The results showed that CuO acts as a reactant during CO2 reduction through copper carbonate formation rather than a catalyst, but the as-formed Cu2(OH)2CO3 (malachite) is active as catalyst for the same reaction. Significant CO2 conversion was observed during the CuO carbonation process, reducing to lower conversion levels after complete conversion to copper carbonate.