Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 in water under visible-light irradiation by a p-type InP photocathode modified with an electropolymerized ruthenium complex

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO(2) to HCOO(-) was successfully achieved by a p-type InP photocathode modified with an electropolymerized ruthenium complex in water. This technique decreased the required applied potential for CO(2) reduction by utilizing solar energy. The carbon and proton sources of HCOO(-) were identified by a tracer experiment to be CO(2) and H(2)O, respectively.