Tuning WO/CuO{111} Interfaces for the Highly Selective CO Photocatalytic Conversion to CH.

As a multiple proton-coupled electron transfer process, photocatalytic conversion of CO usually produces a wide variety of products. Improving the yield and selectivity of CO to the single product is still a significant challenge. In this work, we describe that the rationally constructed WO/CuO{111} interfaces achieve highly selective CO photocatalytic conversion to CH. In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements reveal that the formation of WO/CuO{111} interfaces restrains the desorption of CO* intermediates in CO photocatalytic conversion. UPS spectra, PL spectra, and photocurrent curves show that more photogenerated electrons are excited and transferred to WO/CuO{111} interfaces. All of these play critical roles in CH production. As an outcome, the yield rate of CO photocatalytic conversion to CH was enhanced from 6.5 to 17.20 μmol g h with selectivity as high as 94.7%. The work demonstrates the feasibility and versatility of interface engineering in achieving highly selective CO photocatalytic conversion.