The synergy between silver-cobalt dual-active sites on exfoliated carbon nitride for efficient CO2 photoreduction

The photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 presents a promising strategy for addressing the pressing environmental and energy crises. Here, we anchored AgCo alloy nanoparticles to hydrogen-exfoliated C 3 N 4 (HCN) and used the catalyst for photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . Studies have shown that introducing N vacancies in C 3 N 4 through hydrogen exfoliation has led to a notable enhancement in visible light absorption. Ag acts as an adsorption and catalytic site for CO 2 molecules, enhancing the interfacial activation of CO 2 . Co acts as a hole-trapping site and significantly enhances the charge transport capability of the material. The synergy between Ag and Co together promoted photocatalytic CO 2 conversion, and the CO yield reached 4.35 μmol/h with 98.9 % CO selectivity, which was 62 times higher than that of pristine C 3 N 4 . This study offers a versatile platform for the design of synergistic catalysts aimed at efficient solar energy conversion . Construction of AgCo dual active sites in hydrogen exfoliated defective carbon nitride and synthesis of catalyst AgCo/HCN with efficient CO 2 photoactivity. • The AgCo/HCN catalyst exhibits excellent photocatalytic CO 2 performance, with a CO generation rate of 4.35 μmol/h and a selectivity of 98.9 %. • The defective carbon nitride formed by hydrogen exfoliation exhibits a marked enhancement in the absorption of visible light. • Co acts as a hole-trapping site, which significantly enhances the charge transport ability of the material. • Ag acts as an adsorption and catalytic site for CO 2 molecules, enhancing the interfacial activation of CO 2 . • It is anticipated that this strategy of designing bimetallic synergistic sites will be widely employed in the development of photocatalytic materials.