Use of an optofluidic microreactor and Cu nanoparticles synthesized in ionic liquid and embedded in TiO2 for an efficient photoreduction of CO2 to methanol

Abstract The slow kinetics in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2, as well low quantum efficiencies achieved, directly related to photocatalyst and reactor configuration applied, limit widespread use this technology. In light this, main objective work is evaluate continuous conversion CO2 into methanol an optofluidic microreactor (with enhanced mass transport, large volume/active area ratio uniform distribution) using Cu nanoparticles synthesized hydrophilic 3-methyl-n-butylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIm.BF4) ionic liquid embedded TiO2 (P25). not only acts a template control size but also stabilizing agent. analysis includes effect structural parameters photoactive layer such content (from 0.8 6.8 wt%) loading (0.5–3 mg·cm−2), operating variables UV visible intensities (2.5–10 mW·cm−2) cell (i.e. one or two compartments). maximum yield reached from transformation r = 230.3 µmol∙g−1∙h−1 at 2 wt% content, 2 mg·cm−2, intensity 10 mW·cm−2 two-compartment configuration. This result outperforms values previously reported for Cu/TiO2-based systems microreactors, most those common photoreactors.