Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methanol and formic acid by graphene-TiO₂

Abstract

Graphene-TiO2 hybrids were prepared by the hydrothermal method. Surface area and visible light adsorption increased with the graphene loading. Increased graphene loading improved the methanol and formic acid production. Too much graphene loading will decrease the reduction efficiency. The effect of pH shows that the HCO3- species prefers the formation of formic acid. The mechanism of the reaction was also discussed in this study.