Hierarchical Faceted Cesium Tin Iodide Superparticles for Solar based CO2 Reduction

Abstract

The current global scenario demands more focused mitigation activities and the implementation of stern policies with regards to ever-increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Over the past few decades, it has caused much concern, thus dramatically driving the ongoing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) research. Alluring it sounds, but a far easier CO2 utilization alternative is its catalytic conversion to value-added fuels, for which, the use of solar irradiation represents an eventual and economical solution. Hierarchical lead-free all-inorganic halide perovskites are greatly documented for optoelectronics and photovoltaic applications but have rarely been used for CO2 photoreduction. Herein, we report on the synthesis of cesium tin iodide (CsSnI3) and its employability as photocatalysts to convert CO2 gas into value-added hydrocarbon fuels. Under the natural sunlight, artificial solar, and ultraviolet (UV) illumination, the hierarchical CsSnI3 superparticles progressively produced and infused electrons under ambient conditions, thereby catalyzing CO2 reduction to carbon monoxide (CO) at a rate of ~89,~75, and 8 μmol/g with selectivity over 90, 85 and 32%, respectively. The study presented here is foreseen to open many new opportunities towards the utilization of lead-free all-inorganic halide perovskite materials for energy generation through carbon emission utilization.