Paving "Pt · · · Ti" Hot Electron Transportation Bridge for Outstanding Photothermal Catalytic Reduction of CO₂

Coupling photocatalysis with thermocatalysis is considered the best way for CO2 2 reduction to produce useful hydrocarbons. Particularly, photocatalytic CO2 2 reduction activity could be improved via the photothermal effect induced by local heat and subsequently, enhance visible light harvesting from noble metal nanoparticles. However, the sluggish hot electron transfer between noble metal and semiconducting materials remains an Achilles heel to achieve an applicable CO2 2 reduction. Herein, a highly efficient "Pt · · · Ti" hot electron transportation bridge between Pt nanoparticles and hierarchically porous TiO2 2 (HP-TiO2) 2 ) was paved. Such photothermocatalyst lowered the barrier of charge migration and exhibited significantly boosted CO2 2 reduction with an outstanding hydrocarbon productivity of 29.68 mu mol <middle dot> h -1 <middle dot> g-1, -1 , which was around 21 times higher than that of bulk-TiO2; 2 ; besides, an extraordinary selectivity to CH4 4 of over 99% under simulated sunlight irradiation was achieved. In-situ characterizations and first-principle calculations confirmed that the manufactured "Pt <middle dot> <middle dot> <middle dot> Ti" hot electron transportation bridge exerted a significant role in promoting CO2 2 molecule activation and conversion. The innovative concept of paving an efficient hot electron shift bridge, acting as a crucial springboard promises a practical application of advanced photothermocatalyst for efficient industrial CO2 2 reduction and high-valued chemical production.