Solar spectrum photocatalytic conversion of CO ₂ and water vapor into hydrocarbons using TiO ₂ nanoparticle membranes

A viable option for recycling carbon dioxide is through the sunlight-powered photocatalytic conversion of CO ₂ and water vapor into hydrocarbon fuels over highly active nanocatalysts. With photocatalytic CO ₂ reduction sunlight, a renewable energy source as durable as the sun, is used to drive the catalytic reaction with the resultant fuel products compatible with the current hydrocarbon-based energy infrastructure. The use of co-catalyst (Cu, Pt)-sensitized TiO ₂ nanoparticle wafers in the photocatalytic conversion of CO ₂ and water vapor to hydrocarbon fuels, with optimal humidity levels and exposure times established. We also attempted to increase product formation by sputtering both co-catalysts on the nanoparticle wafer's surface, with the resulting product rates significantly higher than that of either the Cu or Pt coated samples. When the TiO ₂ nanoparticle wafers are used in a flow-through membrane implementation we find a significant increase in product rates of formation, including methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. We believe that nanocatalyst-based flow-through membranes are a viable route for achieving large-scale and low cost photocatalytic solar fuel production.