Flexible polyimide (PI) films containing hierarchical structure was synthesized as substrates to support cuprous oxide/graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) for photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide under visible light. With the nanocasting technique, the surface structure on the leaves was successfully duplicated on PI film. Followed by ion-exchange process and adequate thermal-treatment, cuprous oxide nanoparticles were successfully immobilized on the artificial gCN/PI leaves and exhibited the capability to photoreduce carbon dioxide under visible-light illumination. With the selection of biomimetic structure and adjustment of fabrication parameters, the hydrophobicity and optical absorption edge of the photocatalytic film were tunable. An increase in hydrophobicity improved the yield of carbon monoxide. The introduction of hierarchical structure on the surface and gCN/ cuprous oxide within the matrix dramatically enhanced the thermal stability of PI film. The flexible photocatalytic film is a promising material for the applications requiring high mechanical and thermal stability.

Photoreduction of carbon dioxide by biomimetic polyimide-supported cuprous oxide/graphitic carbon nitride photocatalytic films

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.