The advantageous active sites construction and the electronic structure modification of cobalt-modified CeO2 for efficient solar-driven CO2 reduction

Converting CO 2 into high-value-added products through photocatalytic technology is an effective approach to addressing the greenhouse effect and alleviating the energy crisis at present. In this paper, Co-doped CeO 2 was successfully prepared using the oil bath plus calcination method to achieve efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . The introduction of Co provides advantageous active sites for the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction system, enhancing the adsorption of CO 2 molecules. Meanwhile, DFT calculations show that the introduction of Co can efficiently regulate the charge distribution to achieve electron localization, enhancing the activation of CO 2 molecules. Additionally, it can accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, significantly improving the photocatalytic activity of CO 2 reduction. The CO yield of Co/CeO 2 is 19.50 μmol g -1 h -1 , which is 12 times that of the CeO 2 monomer, and this catalyst has good stability. This research provides a new idea for doping metal oxides with metal elements for the efficient reduction of CO 2 in photocatalysis. The Co-doped CeO 2 system constructed, the introduction of Co not only provides advantageous active sites for the reaction but also significantly enhances the migration, separation and transport efficiency of photogenerated carriers by regulating the energy band structure, thereby greatly increasing the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction activity. • The successful doping of Co into CeO 2 has facilitated the localization of electrons and led to the enrichment of electrons, providing additional advantageous active sites, and also promotes the adsorption and activation of CO 2 molecules. • The formation of defect levels and the reduction of the work function are beneficial for the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. • The photocatalytic activity of Co/CeO 2 has been greatly enhanced compared to CeO 2 , which is 12 times that of the CeO 2 .