Artificial Chlorophyll-Inspired: Photonic Crystals-Based Photocatalyst for Carbon Dioxide Conversion as Gaseous Fuel

The PCN-222(M)/IOT heterostructure is constructed (created) by combining the narrow bandgap metalloporphyrin metal-organic framework (PCN-222) with the wide bandgap inverse opal TiO₂(IOT). PCN-222 grows in situ on the surface of the inverse opal under hydrothermal conditions, forming a tightly connected interface that enables the rapid separation and transfer of electrons and holes.<br/><br/>Inspired by natural photosynthesis, this research contributes to the development of artificial CO₂ photoreduction catalysts. The construction of Z-scheme heterojunctions is an effective strategy for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials by isolating photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In this study, the morphologies , structures, and photoelectric characteristics of materials acquired through the synthesis of P(M:metal)/IOT heterostructures were characterized. These heterostructures were evaluated for their photocatalytic CO₂ reduction capabilities, revealing their superior performance compared to IOT and PCN-222. Under visible light illumination, the P(Fe)/IOT heterostructure achieved impressive yields of CH₄ and C₂H₄. The enhanced photoactivity is attributed to the efficient spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes via a Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism. This research provides valuable insights into the design and fabrication of novel Z-scheme photocatalytic systems for environmental remediation and energy conversion. The P(M)/IOT heterostructure combines a narrow band gap metalloporphyrin metal-organic framework (PCN-222) with a wide gap inverse opal TiO₂ (IOT) via in-situ growth under hydrothermal conditions. This results in a tightly connected interface that facilitates rapid electron-hole separation and transfer. The high photocatalytic activity of P(M)/IOT is attributed to its strong visible light absorption and efficient charge separation within the heterointerface, also providing bionic chloroplast microenvironmental strategies for effective photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction.