Atomically Dispersed Indium-Copper Dual-Metal Active Sites Promoting C-C Coupling for CO2 Photoreduction to Ethanol

Abstract

Photoreduction of CO₂ to C₂₊ solar fuel is a promising carbon-neutral technology for renewable energy. This strategy is challenged by its low productivity due to low efficiency in multielectron utilization and slow C-C coupling kinetics. This work reports a dual-metal photocatalyst consisting of atomically dispersed indium and copper anchored on polymeric carbon nitride (InCu/PCN), on which the photoreduction of CO₂ delivered an excellent ethanol production rate of 28.5 μmol g^-1 h^-1 with a high selectivity of 92 %. Coupled experimental investigation and DFT calculations reveal the following mechanisms underpinning the high performance of this catalyst. Essentially, the In-Cu interaction enhances the charge separation by accelerating charge transfer from PCN to the metal sites. Indium also transfers electrons to neighboring copper via Cu-N-In bridges, increasing the electron density of copper active sites. Furthermore, In-Cu dual-metal sites promote the adsorption of *CO intermediates and lower the energy barrier of C-C coupling.

Keywords: Atomically Dispersed in−Cu Catalysts; CO2 Photoreduction; Ethanol Formation; Promoting C−C Coupling.