Cu-Doped SrTiO3 Nanostructured Catalysts for CO2 Conversion into Solar Fuels Using Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance

Carbon dioxide valorisation is one of the most discussed topics amongst researchers; indeed, finding a way to significantly reduce CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is crucial in order to mitigate climate change effects in the next decades. In this study, SrTiO3-supported Cu nanoparticles are exploited as Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR)-mediated catalysts for CO2 reduction. The materials were prepared via sol-gel citrate route methodology, inserting Cu as a dopant in the perovskite structure; reducing treatments at different temperatures were performed to promote copper atom exsolution, thus forming nanostructures upon the surface. The perovskitic structure was confirmed via ex situ and operando XRD analysis, while compositional analysis was carried out through XPS and EDS; SEM and TEM images revealed morphological changes with different reducing treatments, and bulk reducibility was analysed with H-2-TPR, revealing different Cu species in the material. Band gap analysis via DRS showed the successful incorporation of copper in the perovskite, affecting the light absorption properties. Finally, catalytic tests showed that copper nanoparticles play a role in CO2 activation with sunlight, proving that LSPR could be exploited for catalytic means.