Cyano group modified graphitic carbon nitride supported Ru nanoparticles for enhanced CO2 methanation

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) based materials has been widely used for catalytic CO 2 hydrogenation reaction. However, the catalytic activity is restricted due to the barren active sites and the weak ability to activate CO 2 for the traditional g-C 3 N 4 . We demonstrate here that cyano group modified g-C 3 N 4 supported Ru nanoparticles exhibits high activity and selectivity for CO 2 methanation. The introduction of cyano group promotes the formation of medium basic sites for enhanced CO 2 adsorption. Meanwhile, the formation of electron-rich Ru nanoparticles with the assistance of cyano group boosts the H 2 activation. The synergistic effect of cyano group and Ru nanoparticles improves catalytic performance up to 14 times. Characterizations prove that cyano group with electron-withdrawing properties influences the way of CO 2 adsorption via electron transfer and changes the CO 2 hydrogenation reaction pathway. This work provides a new insight into the switching of CO 2 hydrogenation pathway and enhanced catalytic activity via surface functional groups modification of g-C 3 N 4 based catalyst.