CuO@N/C-ZnO nanoflowers with quantum dots derived from ZIF-8 for efficient CO₂ photoreduction

In this pioneering work, an innovative photocatalyst, denoted as the porous erythrocytic-like nanoflower derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) (CuO@N/C-ZnONF), has been meticulously crafted. This design integrates a porous nanosheet of nitrogen and carbon co-doped ZnO, strategically refined with CuO nanosheets (CuONS) architecture originating from ZIF-8. This innovative nanomaterial serves as a nanoreactor for converting CO₂ into CO and CH₄. The distinctive porous nanoflower structure facilitates enhanced mobility of charge carriers throughout the accessible framework, maximizes exposure of active sites, and improves the flow of charge carriers while preventing their recombination. Additionally, the porous characteristics facilitate the diffusion of reactants and products. The synthesized 10CuO/N-C-ZnONF demonstrates superior photocatalytic performance, yielding high CO and CH₄ outputs of 286.16 and 39.74 µmol g⁻¹h⁻¹, respectively, and exhibits excellent long-term stability.