A research work about photocatalytic CO2 reduction done in collaboration in between Imperial College London and the University of Oulu won third place in annual competition

The winning poster by PhD Candidate Yasmine Baghdadi, Imperial College London, was an explanation of the concept of artificial photosynthesis for carbon capture and conversion to solar fuels and the potentials of the technology in the endeavors towards net zero emissions. Some of the findings presented in the poster were based on a a publication in collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Oulu in research on photocatalysis and material synthesis.

The article published in ACS Chemistry of Materials was produced in co-operation between Yasmine Baghdadi and members of the Eslava group from the Department of Chemical Engineering (Imperial College London) and Filipp Temerov from the NANOMO research unit (University of Oulu), led by Dr Salvador Eslava (Reader at Imperial College London).

The key findings of the research

To combat climate change, researchers are continuously seeking innovative approaches to mitigate CO2 emissions. In the study entitled "Direct Z-Scheme Heterojunction between Cs3Bi2Br9 and g-C3N4 for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction," the group utilizes the concept of photocatalysis (or artificial photosynthesis) in synthesizing semiconducting materials that mimic leaves in capturing and utilizing CO2.

The work was focused on developing a direct Z-scheme heterojunction between two semiconducting materials: Cs3Bi2Br9 and g-C3N4. By synthesizing this heterojunction through a straightforward antisolvent crystallization method, the team achieved promising results. They discovered that an optimized ratio of 40% Cs3Bi2Br9 with g-C3N4 exhibited the highest CO production rate under simulated sunlight, surpassing the performance of either material alone.

The noticeable improvement in CO2 conversion efficiency was attributed to the improved charge separation within the composite of g-C3N4 and Cs3Bi2Br9. The direct Z-scheme pathway played a pivotal role in this process, wherein photoinduced electrons accumulate on Cs3Bi2Br9, while holes accumulate on g-C3N4.Various analytical techniques confirmed the alignment of energy bands, resulting in a staggered configuration of valence and conduction bands which facilitated efficient charge transfer.

Overall, this research presents a promising avenue for the development of highly efficient and stable photocatalysts for CO2 reduction, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. By leveraging novel heterojunctions and exploring diverse materials, scientists strive to advance sustainable environmental solutions.

"This achievement highlights the significance of collaborative research in driving sustainable development forward"

Imperial College PhD candidate Yasmine Baghdadi comments the achievement: "This achievement highlights the significance of collaborative research in driving sustainable development forward. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, as researchers from diverse fields converge to address pressing global challenges. Moreover, being given the opportunity to share research with a wider audience, especially policymakers, is crucial for driving technological advancements forward. It helps highlight the practical applications of research and fosters dialogue that can propel these innovations to the next level.

University of Oulu researcher Dr. Filipp Temerov underlines the importance of the research result: "This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for the renewable energy industry, offering a cost-effective and sustainable path to harnessing solar energy for the production of solar fuels and feedstocks. As the world strives to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions, innovations like these are crucial in driving the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future."

Read the full research article in ACS Chemistry of Materials.