Boron-doped diamond semiconductor electrodes: Efficient photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction through surface modification

Nitish Roy, Yuiri Hirano, Haruo Kuriyama, Pitchaimuthu Sudhagar, Norihiro Suzuki, Ken Ichi Katsumata, Kazuya Nakata, Takeshi Kondo, Makoto Yuasa, Izumi Serizawa, Tomoaki Takayama, Akihiko Kudo, Akira Fujishima*, Chiaki Terashima

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)
35 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Competitive hydrogen evolution and multiple proton-coupled electron transfer reactions limit photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction in aqueous electrolyte. Here, oxygen-terminated lightly boron-doped diamond (BDD L) thin films were synthesized as a semiconductor electron source to accelerate CO2 reduction. However, BDD L alone could not stabilize the intermediates of CO2 reduction, yielding a negligible amount of reduction products. Silver nanoparticles were then deposited on BDD L because of their selective electrochemical CO2 reduction ability. Excellent selectivity (estimated CO:H2 mass ratio of 318:1) and recyclability (stable for five cycles of 3 h each) for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction were obtained for the optimum silver nanoparticle-modified BDD L electrode at -1.1 V vs. RHE under 222-nm irradiation. The high efficiency and stability of this catalyst are ascribed to the in situ photoactivation of the BDD L surface during the photoelectrochemical reaction. The present work reveals the potential of BDD L as a high-energy electron source for use with co-catalysts in photochemical conversion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number38010
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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