Edge-aminated reduced graphene oxide without metal for efficient visible-light-initiated CO₂ reduction to CH₄ and CO

Photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ into valuable chemical fuels such as CO and CH₄ is a highly attractive strategy for achieving carbon neutralization. The development of stable and efficient photocatalysts is an urgent topic in this field. Carbon-based materials without metal are promising candidates as photocatalysts due to their high surface areas, high stability and tunable surface chemistry properties. Herein, we report an aminated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with high photocatalytic efficiency for the reduction of CO₂ in the presence of heptane and triethylamine (TEA). The reaction products are CO and CH₄ with an approximate mole ratio of 1: 1. The enhanced activity for the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ is shown to result from surface defects and amino or amide groups in the RGO layers. This work highlights the flexibility of tuning the catalytic activity of the RGO catalyst in CO₂ reduction.