Active Site Modulation in Aurivillius Oxides for Efficient Solar to Fuel Production

The photoreduction of CO₂ into chemical fuels is a promising solution for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and energy shortages. The primary aim of photocatalysis research is to develop efficient and selective photocatalysts. Achieving better catalytic efficiency and controlled selective production can be facilitated by a deeper understanding of chemical pathways, reaction mechanisms, and active site nature. Metal oxide-based catalysts are particularly promising due to their valuable insights into reaction mechanisms and catalytic improvements. This presentation focuses on the modulation of active sites within metal oxides, especially n-type Aurivillius oxides, to enhance CO₂ reduction. By systematically manipulating oxygen vacancies and dopants, we tailor the catalytic properties of metal oxides to improve performance in CO₂ reduction. Our integrated approach employs in-situ DRIFTS and in-situ XAS supported by theoretical calculations to uncover reaction intermediates, and the role of specific sites in CO₂ reduction and H₂O oxidation. This work elucidates the fundamental aspects of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, paving the way for the development of efficient metal oxide photocatalysts for sustainable energy production.