An efficient visible-light photocatalyst for CO2 reduction fabricated by cobalt porphyrin and graphitic carbon nitride via covalent bonding

Nanoparticle photosensitizers possess technical advantages for photocatalytic reactions due to enhanced light harvesting and efficient charge transport. Here we report synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles through covalent coupling and assembly of metalloporphyrin with condensed carbon nitride. The resultant nanoparticles consist of light harvesting component from the condensed carbon nitride and photocatalytic sites from the metalloporphyrins. This synergetic particle system effectively initiates efficient charge separation and transport and exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction. The CO production rate can reach up to 57 µmol/(gh) with a selectivity of 79% over competing H2 evolution. Controlled experiments demonstrate that the combination of light harvesting with photocatalytic activity via covalent assembly is crucial for the high photocatalytic activity. Due to effective charge separation and transfer, the resultant nanoparticle photocatalysts show exceptional photo stability against photo-corrosion under light irradiation, enabling for long-term utilization. This research opens a new way for the development of stable, effective nanoparticle photocatalysts using naturally abundant porphyrin pigments.