Bimetallic Fe/Co photothermal catalyst for fixing CO2 to cyclic carbonates under atmospheric pressure†

Cycloaddition of CO₂ and epoxides to synthesize cyclic carbonates via photothermal catalysis represents one of the effective strategies for achieving carbon neutrality. In this study, a facile one-step hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize a bimetallic photothermal catalyst FeCo@BPDC. This catalyst demonstrates remarkable efficiency in fixing CO₂ to synthesize cyclic carbonates under atmospheric pressure and solvent-free conditions. Through comprehensive characterization and experimentation, the indispensability of bimetallic active sites has been convincingly demonstrated. Additionally, the incorporation of organic ligands significantly enhances the concentration of oxygen vacancies within the catalyst, thereby endowing it with excellent photocatalytic performance. This study presents a novel perspective for the design of photothermal catalysts that convert CO₂ into value-added chemicals under mild conditions.