Sulfur-Doped Bi2O2CO3 Nanosheet for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CO with Ultra-High Selectivity

Abstract

The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) has emerged as a compelling strategy for the conversion of renewable energy. However, the expeditious recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the inadequate light absorption capabilities are currently predominant challenges. Herein, we developed a facile hydrothermal approach to synthesize a sulfur doped Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanosheet with a tunable energy band structure designed to enhance visible light absorption. Our findings indicate that the incorporation of sulfur into the catalytic sites induces an electron sink effect, significantly improving the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. Consequently, this sulfur-doped Bi₂O₂CO₃ catalyst exhibits a remarkable carbon monoxide (CO) yield of 16.64 μmol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ with nearly 100 % selectivity under illumination ranging from 420 to 780 nm. Through in-situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations, it was revealed that sulfur-coordinated bismuth sites greatly enhance CO₂ adsorption and decrease the energy barrier for critical intermediates formation (*COOH), thus selectively driving the reaction towards CO production. This work not only advances our understanding of mechanisms underlying photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ on sulfur-doped bismuth-based catalysts but also sets a precedent for developing sophisticated photocatalytic systems for enhanced photoreduction reactions.