Selective methanol production from photocatalytic reduction of CO2 on BiVO4 under visible light irradiation

Lamellar BiVO4 was prepared through a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. The obtained lamellar BiVO4 with monoclinic phase was used as photocatalyst for the reduction of CO2, and exhibited a selective methanol production under visible-light irradiation. It is found that the methanol yield can be significantly enhanced by adding NaOH solution in the BiVO4 suspension because the caustic solution can dissolve more CO2 and the OH− serves as a stronger hole-scavenger as compared to water. The possible mechanism for the selective methanol production from the present photocatalytic CO2 reduction system was also discussed.

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► Lamellar monoclinic BiVO4 was prepared and used to photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
► The catalyst exhibited selective methanol production under visible light.
► The catalyst showed good stability under both full spectrum and visible light.
► The OH− serving as stronger hole-scavenger can enhance the methanol yield.