An Artificial Photosynthesis System Based on Ti/TiO2 Coated with Cu(II) Aspirinate Complex for CO2 Reduction to Methanol

Abstract

A novel copper(II) aspirinate complex easily deposited onto nanotubes of Ti/TiO2 was successfully employed in the conversion of CO2 to methanol through the use of UV-Vis irradiation coupled to a bias potential of −0.35 V vs saturated calomel electrode. An average concentration of 0.8 mmol L−1 of methanol was obtained in 0.1 mol L−1 of sodium sulfate saturated with CO2 using a self-organized Ti/TiO2 nanotubular array electrode coated with a [Cu2(asp)4] complex. The influence exerted by CO2 and the complex over the behavior of photocurrent vs potential curves is discussed. Furthermore, a complete investigation of all parameters that tend to influence the global process of methanol production by the photoelectrocatalytic method such as applied potential, electrolyte, and time is also thoroughly presented. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]