Constructing a Channel to Regulate the Electron-Transfer Behavior of CO Adsorption and Light-Driven CO Reduction by H₂ over CuO–ZnO

Photocatalytic conversions of C1 molecules under mild conditions have been widely researched in many fields. Adsorption of reactants at a catalyst surface is an indispensable process for C1 conversion and thus it might play a key role in reaction behavior. Herein, for a ZnO sample without photocatalytic activity for CO + H2 reduction, CuO is introduced into ZnO to regulate the adsorption behavior of CO on the CuO–ZnO surface and then to drive the reduction of CO by H2 under UV irradiation. The results of gas sensitivity tests and various in situ characterization methods are as expected. Specifically, surface zinc vacancies and Cu2+ sites at the interface of ZnO and CuO cooperate to construct a special electron-transfer channel (Zn–O–Cu–O) for CO adsorption [CO (ads)]. A new linear adsorption mode of CO at Cu2+ sites occurs, and this successfully changes the electron-transfer behavior of CO (ads) from donating electrons (to ZnO) to accepting electrons (from CuO–ZnO) via electron-transfer channels and d-electrons of Cu2+ matching. Then, CO molecules are reduced by H2 under UV irradiation. The strategy here provides an insight into the design of highly effective catalysts as well as an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of C1 photocatalytic conversion.