Efficient and selective carbon dioxide reduction on low cost protected Cu2O photocathodes using a molecular catalyst

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO was driven by a TiO2-protected Cu2O photocathode paired with a rhenium bipyridyl catalyst. Efficient and selective CO evolution was shown to be stable over several hours. The use of protic solution additives to overcome severe semiconductor-to-catalyst charge transfer limitations provided evidence of a modified catalytic pathway.