Enhancing photocatalytic CO₂ reduction activity through Cobalt-Bismuth bimetallic Nanoparticle-Modified...

Efficient charge transfer and effective separation of photo-generated charge carriers are crucial factors in photocatalysis. In this study, we present the design of a composite photocatalyst consisting of cobalt and bismuth (CoBi) bimetallic nanoparticles incorporated into a honeycomb nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon (N-GC) matrix. The ultra-thin porous N-GC matrix exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, a high number of active sites, and enables efficient absorption and multiple reflection of incident light. The CoBi bimetal-N-GC interface establishes a self-driven charge transport channel that effectively suppresses the backflow of photogenerated electrons, leading to prolonged separation of photo-generated carriers and a significant improvement in photocatalytic activity. The CoBi@N-GC catalyst showcases outstanding performance, producing CH₄ and CO at rates of 36.07 μmol·g^-1·h^-1 and 44.09 μmol·g^-1·h^-1 respectively, confirming its superior photocatalytic capabilities.