Project R-14431

Investigation of a copper-based chalcogenide material for CO2 photo electrochemical conversion to value-added products (Research)

An alternative for the mitigation of CO2 emissions is the use of photo electrocatalysis (PEC), aiming the generation of value-added products. Some limitations are still observed in the PEC process, mainly regarding selectivity to obtain only a high value product and the lack of efficiency. One way to overcome this problem is choosing a great semiconductor. Various materials have been employed in this field, but the copper-based material has demonstrated superior performance, attributed to the unique characteristics of copper and copper oxides. The crucial attributes sought in this process are cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, minimal recombination of photogenerated charges, and remarkable efficiency and stability. In this work, solution processing will be employed for the synthesis of a copper-based semiconductor, as it favors the compositional control of the stoichiometry. It is planned to evaluate the impact of surface defects and employ theoretical studies to gain a deeper understanding of the optoelectronic properties. This will aid in proposing a reaction mechanism for CO2 conversion and exploring the various routes involved. This synthesis method should produce a p-type semiconductor with low recombination of the photogenerated charges, with high activity, selectivity, and stability.

01 November 2023 - 31 October 2027