Core-shell LaPO4/g-C3N4 nanowires for highly active and selective CO2 reduction

We have synthesized a series of LaPO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 core-shell nanowires via an in-situ hydrothermal growth of LaPO 4 nanorods in tubular g-C 3 N 4 and investigated their photocatalytic activity in CO 2 reduction. It was found that in the synthesized core-shell structure, the outer g-C 3 N 4 nano-shells coated on the LaPO 4 nanorod cores resulted in the enhanced light absorption and charge carrier separation/transfer ability, thus improved the room temperature photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposites in CO 2 photocatalytic reduction compared with the g-C 3 N 4 and LaPO 4 individuals. A maximum CO yield of 0.433   μmol   has been obtained from CO 2 reduction within 1   h irradiation on 30   mg nanocomposite photocatalyst under the absence of any noble metal. Finally, a possible mechanism, which is featured with LaPO 4 activation due to significantly promoted separation/transfer of photo-generated charge carriers, was proposed. The encouraging performance in CO 2 photoreduction demonstrates that this novel nanocomposite will be a prospective material in environmental protection and energy conversion.