Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (6): 100055.doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100055

• ARTICLE • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Insights into the greatly improved catalytic performance of N-doped BiOBr for CO2 photoreduction

Xianghai Song1,5, Xiaoying Liu1, Zhixiang Ren1, Xiang Liu2, Mei Wang3,*(), Yuanfeng Wu4, Weiqiang Zhou1, Zhi Zhu1, Pengwei Huo1,*()   

  1. 1 Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
    2 Jiangsu Higher Vocational College Engineering Research Center of Green Energy and Low Carbon Materials, Zhenjiang College, Zhenjiang 212028, Jiangsu Province, China
    3 School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
    4 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454003, Henan Province, China
    5 International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2024-11-26 Revised:2025-01-23 Accepted:2025-01-23 Published:2025-04-19
  • Contact: Email: 1000004927@ujs.edu.cn (Mei Wang)huopw@ujs.edu.cn (Pengwei Huo)
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22108102); the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22078131); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Universities of Henan Province(NSFRF240609); the GHfund B(202302026857); the Science and Technology Planning Social Development Project of Zhenjiang City(SH2023102); the International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials of Nanjing Forestry

Abstract:

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction represents a hopeful approach to addressing global energy and environmental issues. The quest for catalysts that demonstrate both high activity and selectivity for CO2 conversion has attracted significant attention. In this study, ultrathin N-doped BiOBr was synthesized using a simple straightforward method. Systematic experimental results indicated that N-doping reduced the thickness of the BiOBr nanosheets and increased their specific surface area. Moreover, the efficiency of photogenerated charge carrier migration and the CO2 adsorption capacity were significantly enhanced, contributing to improved CO2 photoreduction performance. Experimental results showed that the 2N-BiOBr exhibited the best catalytic performance, with a CO evolution rate of 18.28 μmol·g−1·h−1 and nearly 100% CO selectivity in water, which was three times higher than that of pure BiOBr. The potential photocatalytic mechanism was investigated using in situ FTIR analysis and DFT simulations. Mechanistic studies revealed that N atoms replaced O atoms as adsorption centers, enhancing the strong adsorption selectivity towards CO2 over O―H in BiOBr and facilitating the formation of key reaction intermediates. This study provides new perspectives on the creation and development of effective photocatalytic materials, offering theoretical support for the application of photocatalytic technology in energy and environmental science.

Key words: N-doping, CO2 adsorption, Ultrathin BiOBr, Photocatalyst, CO2 reduction