Boosting photocatalytic CO evolution on FeCoS2 via a multifunctional polymer overlayer: Interfacial engineering and microenvironment modulation

The catalyst of FeCoS 2 particles were coated with a thin layer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for catalysis enhancement. • An exceptional CO production rate of 72.21 ± 3.37 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 was achieved, roughly 3.5 folds of pristine FeCoS 2 . • This catalysis enhancement is attributed to multiple factors, including enhanced light absorption, promoted interfacial charge transfer, optimized mass transportation, and improved reaction kinetics. Photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to fuel, including carbon monoxide (CO), using solar energy offers a sustainable path to addressing energy and environmental crises. However, the efficiency of this conversion is far below the requirement for practical applications. In this work, an exceptional record-high CO production rate of 72.21 ± 3.37 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 was achieved by coating the nanocatalyst of FeCoS 2 particles with a thin layer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This CO production rate is roughly 3.5 folds of the photocatalytic activity of pristine FeCoS 2 . This PMMA coating-induced enhancement can be attributed to the synergistic effects of multiple factors, including enhanced light absorption, promoted interfacial charge transfer, optimized mass transportation, and improved reaction kinetics. Overall, this study establishes a simple, straightforward and versatile strategy for designing and preparing highly efficient photocatalysts, with potential applicability across diverse photocatalytic reactions. Download: Download high-res image (123KB) Download: Download full-size image