Reduced molybdenum oxide MoO_x (x＜2) as a model catalyst for methanol photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and water

摘要

By means of X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) it is shown that methanol is formed from carbon dioxide and water on the surface of reduced molybdenum oxide substrate MoO_x (x＜2) under pulsed laser irradiation at photon energy of 6.4 eV, pulse duration 9 ns and laser fluence of 4 mJ/cm~2. The key factor is MoO_x defect enhanced photoinduced substrate mediated CO_2 and H_2O bond activation, leading to formation of reaction intermediates: CH_2O_2 → CH_2O → O-CH_3, forming finally methanol.