Based on our results that have demonstrated nanoparticulate ZnS provides a more effective photocatalyst than micron size ZnS in the photoreduction of bicarbonate to formate, this project is focused on evaluating different semiconducting materials as catalysts such as nanoparticulate copper (I) oxide. This oxide was selected based on its lower band gap relative to ZnS.  Macrocyclic materials such as porphyrin and phthalocyanines have been evaluated as photosensitizers because they are stable and do not undergo photo-reduction. These systems are studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our aims for this project include selecting both a semiconductor catalyst with valence band and conductor bands compatible with the HOMO and LUMO levels of macrocyclic photosensitizers in order to reduce carbon dioxide to formate (and eventually methanol) using ambient solar energy.

Photons to formate: Solar driven conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> to solar fuels

249th National Meeting (2015)

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Photons to formate: Solar driven conversion of CO2 to solar fuels

Photons to formate: Solar driven conversion of CO₂ to solar fuels