Full solar spectrum driven CO2 conversion over S-Scheme natural mineral nanocomposite enhanced by LSPR effect

Abstract Using natural mineral to realize photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is promising but remains a great challenge. Herein MoO3-x quantum dots (QDs) immobilized on acid modified palygorskite (H-Pal) nanocomposite was prepared as powder photocatalyst for CO2 conversion. The effect of various mass fractions of MoO3-x on CO2 reduction was investigated. Results reveal that the 30% MoO3-x/H-Pal demonstrates remarkable CO2 photoreduction property with a CH3OH yield rate of about 6.2 μmol·g−1·h−1 under full spectrum irradiation. The MoO3−x QDs possess high localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect induced by oxygen vacancy (Ov) not only enables the efficient capture of NIR photons, but also build S-scheme heterostructure with H-Pal mediated by Ov enhancing the separation of charge carriers as well as preserving high redox potential. In addition Ov act as active sites promoting the adsorption and activation of CO2. This work may provide a cost-effective strategy for the practical application of artificial photosynthesis.