Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide over Shape-Controlled Titanium(IV) Oxide Nanoparticles with Co-catalyst Loading

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) was carried out using titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2). Methanol (CH3OH) was detected as the main product, and trace amounts of formic acid, carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen were also detected. The prepared decahedral-shaped anatase TiO2 with larger {011} and smaller {001} exposed crystal faces showed larger CH3OH generation than that of commercial anatase TiO2 powder, ST-01 (Ishihara Sangyo Co.). Photodeposition of silver and gold nanoparticles on the decahedral-shaped anatase TiO2 induced an increase in CH3OH production because the deposited metal particles work as reductive sites for multi-electron reduction of CO2.