Tuning redox potentials of CO2 reduction catalysts for carbon photofixation by Si nanowires

Si nanowires (SiNWs) are shown to absorb visible light to reduce Ni catalysts into Ni-0 compounds, enabling alkyne carboxylation reactions with CO2 as a carbon feedstock. The reduced Ni catalysts are effective in CO2 fixation through a 4-octyne carboxylation reaction. The reduction potentials of the Ni catalysts can be tuned from -1.35 to -0.51 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode) by altering the binding ligands. The results shed light on the nature of charge transfer from SiNWs to the catalyst for this new class of photocatalytic reactions. By controlling the CO2 reduction potential of the catalysts with carefully ligand designs, it will bring more opportunities and options to realize the highly selective, effective and sustainable CO2 reduction in the future.