Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion Using Anodic TiO2 Nanotube-CuxO Composites

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) is currently being actively studied by the global scientific community, since it has a number of properties that are important from practical point view. One these large specific surface, which makes this material promising for use in photocatalysts, sensors, solar cells, etc. In work, we prepared photocatalysts based on TiO2 nanotubes converting carbon (CO2) into energy-intensive hydrocarbon compounds. Efficient gas-phase CO2 conversion single-walled nanotube-CuxO composites was investigated. Parameters defects (radicals) were studied. Methanol and methane detected during photoreduction process. nanotubes, only Ti3+/oxygen vacancy detected. The Cu2+ centers O2− radicals found using EPR technique. It been established copper oxide nanoparticles present form CuO phase. A phase transformation to Cu2O takes place illumination, as shown spectroscopy. accumulate photoinduced charge carriers. mechanism methanol formation discussed. results obtained completely original show high promise TiO2-CuxO nanotube fuel precursors.