Synthesis and evaluation of CoPc grafted bismuth oxyhalide (Bi24O31Br10): a visible light-active photocatalyst for CO2 reduction into methanol

Abstract

The present study describes the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of cobalt(II) phthalocyanine embedded bismuth oxyhalide (CoPc@Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀) for the photoreduction of CO₂ into methanol selectively using triethylamine (TEA) as a sacrificial donor under visible light illumination. The highest yield of methanol was found to be 3485.3 μmol per g of the photocatalyst with a methanol formation rate of 145.2 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. The developed photocatalyst was found to be quite stable and showed comparable results for five recycling runs without any significant loss in efficiency. Importantly, no significant leaching of the complex was observed even after the fifth run.